Trace element and heavy metal concentrations in fruits and vegetables of the Gediz River region

Abstract

The Gediz river that irrigates the largest agricultural part of the Aegean Region's "Gediz Plain" is being polluted by industrial and domestic wastes starting from the Murat Mountain and continuing to the river's mouth. To study the pollution status, vegetables (tomato, pepper, bean, purslane, cowpea), fruits (apple, plum, pomegranate, walnut, watermelon, peach, cherry, grape), and leaf samples were taken from 12 different places being irrigated from the Gediz River. The amounts of trace elements (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B) and heavy metals (Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd) were measured in these samples. These parameters were compared with published standards. Trace element and heavy metal pollution levels arising from natural and industrial wastes were recorded in some vegetables, fruits and leaf samples at all sampling places. The leaves of vegetables and fruits contained more trace elements and heavy metals than the edible parts.