Study of Heavy Metal Contaminations in Green Leafy Vegetables and Fruits of Kitwe District, Zambia

John Siame

doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20160405.12

Abstract

The heavy metal concentrations of Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Pb and Fe in fruits – Eggplant (Solanum melongena), Lemon (Citrus limon), Tomato (solanum lycopersicum) and Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV) – Pumpkin Leaves (telfairia occidentalis), Rape (brasicca napus), were analyzed. GLV and fruits were purchased from four different market locations (Chamboli, Chisokone, Chimwemwe and Chipata markets) located in and around Kitwe District, Zambia. The heavy metal concentrations in GLV and fruits were determined using the Perkin-Elmer 2380 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Most of the results obtained from the analysis showed high levels of heavy metal concentrations as compared to standards permissible by World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The levels of heavy metal concentrations in GLV ranged from 1.40 to 7.80 mg/kg Fe; 0.50 to 4.10 mg/kg Cu; 0.35 to 4.0 mg/kg Co; 2.00 to 9.00 mg/kg Ni; 0.70 to 5.05 mg/kg Zn; 0.40 to 1.10 mg/kg Pb, while for fruits the levels ranged from 1.30 to 7.50 mg/kg Fe; 0.50 to 3.20 mg/kg Cu; 0.50 to 4.00 Co; 1.17 to 5.10 mg/kg Ni; 0.20 to 1.25 mg/kg Zn and 0.18 to 0.50 mg/kg Pb. The high levels of heavy metal concentrations in most of the GLV and fruits could be attributed to the various anthropogenic activities taking place in the four locations, with mining activities being the most common contributor. However, if not controlled or monitored by local authorities, the health effects that come with consuming contaminated food may be fatal.

Highlights

In Zambia, there is a well-developed mining sector which is the backbone of the economy
The heavy metal concentrations determined were based on the Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV) and fruits dry weights
The concentration levels of Fe and Ni were observed to be highest in GLV (1.40-7.80 mg/kg for Fe, and 2.00-9.00 mg/kg for Ni) while in the fruits samples, the concentration levels which were observed to be the highest were that of Cu and Fe (0.50-2.00 mg/kg for Cu and 1.307.50 mg/kg for Fe)

Summary

Introduction

In Zambia, there is a well-developed mining sector which is the backbone of the economy. Kitwe District is the Zambian’s third largest city It is located in the central part of the Copperbelt Province and is endowed with vast natural resources, including forests. The people of Kitwe District have engaged in vegetable and fruit cultivation in order to feed the ever growing population of the district and to earn some income for their families. These small scale farmers in and around Kitwe District are the main suppliers of vegetables and fruits required in the district markets. These fields and farms are usually irrigated either with water from rivers which are polluted by mine effluents or streams contaminated with raw sewerage water

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