The uptake of nickel and chromium from irrigation water by potatoes, carrots and onions

Abstract

Heavy metals, in general, can migrate from polluted soil and/or irrigation water to tuber plants, leading, after chronic consumption, to health problems. The scope of this study was to investigate the uptake of chromium and nickel by carrots (Daucus carrota), onions (Allium cepa) and potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in a greenhouse experiment simulating the open-field irrigation conditions in the two biggest tuber producing regions of Greece (Asopos river in Viotia and Messapia in Evia). The study included cultivation of tubers for a period of approximately 4 months in six irrigation lines, each one provided by a water solution containing different levels of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) ranging from 0μg/l (control) to 250μg/l. The soil used was obtained from a certified organic greenhouse. Uptake of Cr was observed in onion leaves between 0 and 10μg/l water concentrations (+109.2 percent, p=0.006), 0μg/l and 20μg/l (+47.5 percent, p=0.006), 0μg/l and 50μg/l (+202.8 percent, p=0.006), 0μg/l and 100μg/l (+89.9 percent, p=0.028), 0μg/l and 250μg/l (+61.3 percent, p=0.009). Uptake of Ni was observed: (a) in onion leaves between 0 and 250μg/l water concentrations (+90.2 percent, p=0.076), (b) in onion shoots between 0 and 10μg/l (+39.1 percent, p=0.045), 0 and 250μg/l (+55 percent, p=0.047) and (c) in potatoes between 0 and 20μg/l (+28.1 percent, p=0.083). Our results suggest that irrigation water containing Cr and Ni can cross-contaminate onions and potatoes cultivated in a soil never previously polluted, anthropogenically, with heavy metals. No such results were found for carrots.