Abstract
Heavy metals are among the most serious environmental contaminants in mining districts. Soil, as one of the main components of the environment, is the place of heavy metal entry into plants and consequently into the food chain, too. Potatoes grown in the region of Middle Spis (Slovakia) may be a source of increased content of heavy metals and pose a health risk to the consumer. The contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Ni) in potato and soil samples were determined using the AAS method and compared with limit values set by the Slovak Republic and the European Union. The content of heavy metals was determined in 12 potato cultivars with different length of vegetation period (mid-early, very early, and early, resp.), which were grown in three localities with a highly disturbed environment. Total contents and mobile forms of heavy metals as well as physical and chemical properties were determined in soil samples which were collected from the same sampling sites. Only Pb content in potato tubers was higher than the hygienic limit value (0.1 mg kg−1 FM) in 15 sampling sites (interval was n.d. –0.2298 mg kg−1 FM). The contents of exchangeable forms (total content) of heavy metals in soil were ranged between the intervals: Cd 0.004–0.055 (0.94–1 56), Pb 0.023–0.295 (17.00–26.80), and Ni 0.019–0.475 (30.80–71.00) mg kg−1. At current average consumption levels of potatoes, tolerable weekly intake (TWI) or tolerable daily intake (TDI) for observed heavy metals was not exceeded.
Highlights
Heavy metals contribute significantly to a reduction in environmental quality
The average soil P amount in all sampling sites was lower than satisfactory content for potato cultivation (100– 125 mg P per kilogram of soil), contents of K and Mg were satisfactory, and average values of soil reaction were lower compared to recommended pH values, according to Vokal et al [36] there is no decrease of tuber yield at lower pH values around pH 4.8
Optimal Soil Organic Matter (SOM) content for potato cultivation should be higher than 2%; this value was exceeded at all sampling sites
Summary
Heavy metals contribute significantly to a reduction in environmental quality. Heavy metals can originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources [1]. When occurring naturally in the soil environment as a consequence of the pedogenetic processes of weathering of parent materials, their contents are at levels that are considered to be trace (
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