A Quantitative Estimation of Environmental Pollutants ...

This article was downloaded by: [39.57.29.102] On: 14 July 2015, At: 06:39 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG

International Journal of Vegetable Science Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wijv20

Estimation of Environmental Pollutants in Vegetables a

a

a

a

Aamir Alamgir , Moazzam Ali Khan , S. Shahid Shaukat , Shoaib Shahab & Khalid Mahmood

a

a

Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan Accepted author version posted online: 13 Jul 2015.

Click for updates To cite this article: Aamir Alamgir, Moazzam Ali Khan, S. Shahid Shaukat, Shoaib Shahab & Khalid Mahmood (2015): Estimation of Environmental Pollutants in Vegetables, International Journal of Vegetable Science, DOI: 10.1080/19315260.2014.984263 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19315260.2014.984263

Disclaimer: This is a version of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to authors and researchers we are providing this version of the accepted manuscript (AM). Copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof will be undertaken on this manuscript before final publication of the Version of Record (VoR). During production and pre-press, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal relate to this version also.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

1

Estimation of Environmental Pollutants in Vegetables Aamir Alamgir, Moazzam Ali Khan, S. Shahid Shaukat, Shoaib Shahab and Khalid Mahmood

cr ip

Address correspondence to: M. Ali Khan. E-mail: [email protected]

t

Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Karachi, Karachi 75270, Pakistan

The Karachi area is drained by 2 major river basins used for dumping solid, industrial, agriculture and domestic waste. The banks of the rivers are used for agriculture purposes and

us

pollutants which are toxic to environmental and human health. Microbial loads and toxic heavy

M an

metals were determined in vegetables grown in the area. High levels of total coliforms count were found in lucerene (Portulaca oleracea L), amaranthus (Amaranthus spp. L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) followed by chilies (Capsicum annum L.). Total fecal coliforms were

ed

highest in amaranthus, maize (Zea mays L) and gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L). Total fecal streptococci count were high in spinach, maize and okra. Low levels of bacteria were found in

pt

bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), luffa (Luffa cylindrica L.) and gourd. There was no Cr and Cd in samples; Cu concentration was highest in Beetle leaf (Piper betle L.) and spinach and

ce

lowest in luffa. Lead was highest in lucerne and spinach and lowest in bitter gourd. Nickel concentration was highest in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) and Beetle leaf and lowest in

Ac

Downloaded by [39.57.29.102] at 06:39 14 July 2015

crops irrigated by contaminated river water. The industrial and domestic wastewater contain

luffa. Regardless of vegetable tested none were considered safe for consumption based on levels of toxins and/or bacteria. Key words: heavy metals, Malir River, public health

1

2

Karachi is the largest and the most industrialized city in Pakistan. There are more than 1000 registered industrial units producing oil, steel, paint, chemical, fabric, pharmaceuticals, paper and pulp, and food products. A few multinational companies have installed waste treatment facilities.

cr ip

t

However, most industrial units do not treat waste water. Most industrial and domestic wastewater is discharged untreated into the Arabian Sea through the Malir and Lyari Rivers.

Most of the soil is fine to coarse sand, to silty sand, occasionally mixed with gravel and

us

in the river water flow. Cattle dens are present along the riverbed and are a continuous source of

M an

pollution. Industrial and domestic wastewater contains metals in high concentration and microbial loads which are detrimental to the environment and human health. Vegetables provide rich sources of nutrients and constitute an important component of

ed

the human diet (Khan et al., 2008; Li et al., 2006). Vegetables grown with untreated discharge of wastewater can be a source of intake of pollutants by humans (Sipter et al., 2008; Sridhara et al.,

pt

2008; Khan et al., 2008). Health risks to humans due to heavy metal contamination of soil from various sources has been reported (Eriyamremu et al., 2005; Muchuweti et al., 2006; Satarug et

ce

al., 2000). Use of untreated wastewater for cultivation of vegetables occurs in Pakistan (Yousufzai et al., 2000). Pollutants accumulate in soil at toxic levels due to long term application of wastewater (Kumar et al., 2007). Accumulation of heavy metals through unrestricted

Ac


boulders. Unauthorized agricultural activity occurs along the Malir River bed causing alteration

irrigation affects food quality and safety (Chung et al., 2011; Mapanda et al., 2005). Some heavy metals in low concentration are required by humans, but when

concentrations becomes excessive they become toxic (Mastin and Coughtruj, 1975; Davis and Beckett, 1978; Hambridge, 1981; Nelnon, 1982; Cataldo et al., 1983; Fitzgerald and Tierney,

2

3

1984; Fischer, 1985; Bushnell and Joege, 1986). The extent of damage done to the physiological system of living beings depends upon bioavailability and absorbability of metals (Healy, 1980; Hambridge, 1981; Nelnon, 1982; Misra and Mani, 1992).

cr ip

t

This study was undertaken to determine microbiological and heavy metal loads in vegetables irrigated with waste water.

us

M an

Vegetable samples (Table 1) irrigated with wastewater were collected from several locations near the Malir river. Samples were collected in sterile bags and transferred to the laboratory within 3-4 hr for analysis.

ed

Microbiological analysis

Microbiological analysis was performed by the Most Probable Number Technique (APHA,

pt

2005). Ten-g samples were weighed and transferred to a bottle containing 90 mL of sterile

ce

saline. Samples were crushed aseptically and shaken intermittently for 15 min. Ten fold dilutions were made lactose broth inoculated to determine presence of coliforms and sodium azide broth for fecal streptococci. Tubes were incubated at 35°C for 24-48 hr. From positive lactose broth

Ac


Materials and Methods

tubes inoculation was made in EC medium, stored at 44.5±0.5°C, to detect fecal coliforms.

3

4

Heavy metal analysis Ten-g of samples were chopped and dried for 1-2 hr at 60-70°C in a convection oven. One-g of

t

dried sample was slowly digested with concentrated nitric acid on a hot plate to avoiding boiling

cr ip

during digestion. When the mixture became colorless, an indication of complete digestion, the

sample was filtered and volume made up to 25 mL with deionized water in a volumetric flask.

us M an

Statistical Analysis

The data were statistically analyzed using STATISTICA® (99th ed., StatSoft, Tulsa, OK) software. The descriptive statistics mean, minimum, maximum and standard error, were computed for each of variable. Cluster analysis was performed to derive dendograms from

ed

unweighted pair group averaging of cluster analysis based on microbiological data.

pt

Results and Discussion

ce

Public health quality of vegetables Of 77 vegetable samples, 1 chilies (Capsicum annum L.); 2 cluster beans [Cyamopsis

Ac


Metals in samples were detected using a photometer (NOVA 60, Merck, Darmstadt, Germany).

tetragonoloba (L.) Taub], and all beetle leaf (Piper betle L.) and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) samples did not indicate fecal contamination (Table 1). If the only measure were fecal contamination they could be considered fit for human consumption. However, the compilation of all measures must be considered before declaring the crops fir for consumption.

4

5

Overall most samples exhibited the presence of total coliform count (TCC) with the highest values

in

lucerne

(Portulaca

oleracea

L),

Amaranthus

and

spinach

(Spinacia

oleracea L.) followed by maize (Zea mays L) and chilies; lower levels were in luffa (Luffa

cr ip

t

cylindrica L.). Bitter gourd and cluster beans had low TCC levels. Total fecal coliforms (TFC) were highest in Amaranthus followed by maize and lowest in gourd (Table 1). Total fecal streptococci (TFS) were highest in spinach and lowest in luffa, gourd (Lagenaria siceraria L),

us

beetle leaf. The remaining samples were heavily contaminated with fecal coliforms (Table 1).

M an

Contaminated vegetables are readily available to consumers. Fecal contaminated vegetables serve as a potential source of possible enteric pathogens and cross contamination during handling and processing may occur. Cooking eliminates some risk of pathogens but handling and consumption of raw vegetables is a potential danger for human health.

ed

Gourd and chilies formed a group because of lower levels of bacteria (Fig. 1). The larger

pt

group of 12 vegetables had 3 sub-groups with moderate levels of TCC, TFC or TFS.

ce

Metal analysis of samples

Limited studies have been conducted on levels of heavy metals in vegetables irrigated with untreated wastewater. This study extends the effects of irrigating vegetables with polluted water

Ac


eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), bitter gourd, mustard (Brassica nigra L.) cluster beans and

to an additional location and additional crops. Cadmium and Cr were absent in all samples, including those collected from near a

tannery which produces effluents containing high quantity of Cr (Table 2). Hexavalent Cr is converted into the trivalent state and at alkaline pH becomes insoluble and can not be readily

5

6

taken up by plants. Copper concentration was highest in beetle leaf and spinach and lowest in luffa; Pb was highest in lucerene and spinach and lowest in bitter gourd (Table 2) and present in all samples above maximum permissible limits (Davis and Beckett, 1978). Banerjee et al. (2010)

cr ip

t

reported that vegetables grown in suburban areas of New Delhi exhibited elevated concentrations of heavy metals partially due to use of contaminated water. Singh et al. (2010) stated that continuous application of wastewater for irrigation led to accumulation of heavy metals in

us

abiotic contaminants in vegetables is possible due to irrigation with polluted water.

M an

Concentration of Ni was highest in okra and beetle leaf and lowest in luffa (Table 2). Cluster analysis of samples disclosed 2 main groups (Fig. 2). Group I was comprised of 10 vegetables with higher levels of heavy metals and group II was composed of 3 vegetables with lower levels of heavy metals.

ed

Unrestricted irrigation of vegetables with wastewater is a serious health risk to consumers because of high levels of metals and exceptionally high numbers of organism of public health

pt

importance. Farm workers are exposed to toxic metals and pathogenic microorganisms during This type of production with wastewater irrigation is likely not

ce

routine field activities. sustainable.

Ac


vegetables beyond permissible limits. The results here indicate that a mixture of biotic and

6

7

References American Public Health Association (APHA). 2005. Standards methods for the examination of

t

water and wastewater. 18th ed. American Public Health Association, Washington, DC.

cr ip

Banerjee, D., H. Bairagi, S. Mukhopadhyay, A. Pal, D. Bera and L. Ray.2010. Heavy metal

contamination in fruits and vegetables in two districts of west Bengal, India. Electronic

us

Bushnell, J.P. and J.R. Joeger.1986. Hazards to health from environmental lead exposure.

M an

Veterinary & Human Toxicology 28: 255-261.

Cataldo, D.A., T.R. Garland and R.E. Wildung.1983. Cadmium uptake kinetics in intact soybeen plants. Plant Physiology 73: 844-848.

Chung, B.Y., C.H. Song, B.J. Park, and J.Y. Cho. 2011. Heavy metals in brown rice (Oryza

ed

sativa L.) and soil after long-term irrigation of wastewater discharged from domestic sewage

pt

plants. Pedosphere 21(5): 621-627.

Davis, R.D. and P.H.T. Beckett. 1978. The use of young plants to detect metal accumulation in

ce

soils. Water Pollution Control 77(2): 193-205. Eriyamremu, G.E., S.O. Asagba, A. Akpoborie and S.I. Ojeaburu. 2005. Evaluation of lead and

Ac


Journal of Environmental, Agricultural and Food Chemistry 9(9): 1423-1432.

cadmium levels in some commonly consumed vegetables in the Niger-Delta oil area of Nigeria. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 75: 278-283.

7

8

Eslami. A., G.R.J. Kaniki, M. Nurani, M. Mehrasbi, M. Peyda, and R. Azimi. 2007. Heavy metals in edible green vegetables grown along the sites of the Zanjanroad river in Zanjan, Iran. Journal of Biological Science 7(6): 943-948

cr ip

t

Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). 1995. Codex

Alimentarius Commission. Doc No. Cx/FAC 96/17 Joint FAO/WHO Food standards programme. Codex general standard for contaminants and toxins in foods, Rome.

us

D.H. Hemphill (ed.). Trace substances in environmental health. University of Missouri,

M an

Columbia, MO.

Fitzgerald, T.F. and M.L. Tierney.1984. Trace metals in human disease. Advances in internal medicine year book. Medical Publishers, Los Altos, California.

ed

Hambridge, K.M. 1981. Chromium, pp. 271-275. In: T. Bronner and J.W. Cobum (eds.). Disorders of mineral metabolism. Academic Press, New York.

pt

Healy, M.A. 1980. The distribution of lead in a road side environment and its consequences for

ce

health. Public Health 94(2): 78-88.

Khan, S., Q. Cao, Y.M. Zheng, Y.Z. Huang, and Y.G. Zhu.2008. Health risks of heavy metals in contaminated soils and food crops irrigated with wastewater in Beijing, China. Environmental

Ac


Fischer, A.B. 1985. Antagonistic effects of manganese on cadmium cytotoxicity, pp. 228-237. In

Pollution 152: 686-692. Kumar, S.R., M. Agarawal, and F. Marshall. 2007. Heavy metal contamination of soil and vegetables in suburban areas of Varanasi, India. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

8

9

66: 258-266. Li, Y., Y. Wang, X. Gou, Y. Su, and G. Wang. 2006. Risk assessment of heavy metals in soils and vegetables around non-ferrous metals mining and smelting sites, Baiyin, China. Journal of

cr ip

t

Environmental Sciences 18: 1124-1134.

Mapanda, F., E.N. Mangwayana, J. Nyamangara, and K.E. Giller. 2005. The effect of long-term irrigation using wastewater on heavy metal contents of soils under vegetables in Harare,

us

M an

Mastin, M.H. and P.J. Coughtruj. 1975. Preliminary observations on the levels of cadmium in a contaminated environment. Chromosphere 1: 155-160.

Misra, S.G. and D. Mani. 1992. Metallic pollution. Ashish Publishing House, New Delhi. Heavy metal content of vegetables irrigated with mixture of waste water and sewage sludge in

41-48.

pt

112:

ed

Zimbabwe: Implications for human health. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment

Nelnon, F.H. 1982. Possible future implications of nickel, arsenic, silicon, vanadium and other

ce

ultra elements in human nutrition, pp. 379-386. In: A.S. Prasad (ed.). Clinical, biochemical and nutritional aspects of trace elements. Alan Publishers, New York.

Ac


Zimbabwe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 107: 151-165.

Satarug, S., M.R. Haswell-Elkins and M.R. Moore. 2000. Safe levels of cadmium intake to prevent renal toxicity of human subjects. British Journal of Nutrition 84: 791-802.

9

10

Singh A., R.K. Sharma, M. Agrawal and F. M. Marshal. 2010. Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity through contaminated vegetables from wastewater irrigated area of Varanasi, India. Tropical Ecology 51: 375-387.

cr ip

t

Sipter, E., E. Rozsa, K. Gruiz, E. Tatrai, and V. Morvai. 2008. Site-specific risk assessment in contaminated vegetable gardens. Chemosphere 71(7): 1301-1307.

Sridhara, N.C., C.T. Kamala, and D.S.S. Raj. 2008. Assessing risk of heavy metals from

us

M an

Environmental Safety 67: 136-139.

Yousufzai, A.H.K., D.R. Hashmi, F. Ahmed, and K. Durrani.2001. Heavy metal accumulation in road side vegetation of urban areas of Karachi. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial

ce

pt

ed

Research 44: 29-35.

Ac


consuming food grown on sewage irrigated soils and food chain transfer. Ecotoxicology and

10

11

us M an ed pt ce Ac


cr ip

t

Fig. 1. Dendrogram derived from microbiological analysis of 13 vegetable samples collected from Malir river banks, LUC = Lucerne, EGG = Eggplant, SPI = Spinach, MAI = Maize, BIT = Bitter gourd, CHI = Chilies, AMR = Amaranthus, LUF = Luffa, MUS = Mustard, GOU = Gourd, CLU = Cluster beans, OKR = Okra, BET = Beetle leaf. The I and II indicate major separation of crops into sub-groups.

11

12

us M an ed pt ce Ac


cr ip

t

Fig. 2. Dendrogram derived from microbiological analysis of 13 vegetable samples collected from Malir river banks, LUC = Lucerne, EGG = Eggplant, SPI = Spinach, MAI = Maize, BIT = Bitter gourd, CHI = Chilies, AMR = Amaranthus, LUF = Luffa, MUS = Mustard, GOU = Gourd, CLU = Cluster beans, OKR = Okra, BET = Beetle leaf. The I and II indicate major separation of crops into sub-groups.

12

13

Table 1. Total coliform, total fecal coliform and total fecal streptoccoi counts on vegetables. TCCa (MPNd/100 mL)

TFCb (MPNd/100 mL)

TFS

Vegetable Mean

SE

2400

2400

2400

0

3

1100

317.2

202.74

3

2400

2400

0

(Solanum melongena L.)

2400

Max

Mean

SE

Min

313.2

199.5

23

240

57.8

46.11

3

240

2400

1708

445.04

3

1100

us

40

ed

Spinach

M an

Eggplant

1100

2400

1880

318.433

240

2400

1448

419.17

23

3

40

14.4

7.48

3

23

11

4.89

3

ce

Maize

pt

(Spinacia oleracea L.)

(Zea mays L.)

Ac


(Portulaca oleracea L.)

Min

t

Max

cr ip

Lucerne

Min

Bitter gourd

(Momordica charantia L.)

13

M

2

14

Chilies

3

1100

507.2

244.94

3

240

2400

2400

2400

0

1100

2400

3

40

14.4

105.2

55.44

3

Mustard

3

93

3

3

3

23

7

4

3

16.52

3

40

10.4

7.4

3

40

22

8.28

3

24

7.2

4.2

3

40

18.4

7.011

3

40

14.4

7.48

3

pt

Gourd

318.43

35.8

ed

(Brassica nigra L.)

us

(Luffa cylindrica L.)

7.48

M an

Luffa

ce

(Lagenaria siceraria L.)

Cluster beans

3

Ac


(Amaranthus spp. L.)

1620

cr ip

Amaranthus

t

(Capsicum annum L.)

[Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.]

14

15

Okra

3

1100

277.2

210.35

3

40

17.8

9.06

3

90

37.8

21.31

3

(Abelmoschus

Beetle leaf

us

3

40

10.4

7.4

TCC = Total Coliform Count; bTFC = Total Fecal Coliform Count, cTFS = Total fecal

M an

a

ce

pt

ed

streptococci count, dMPN = Most Probable Number.

Ac


(Piper betle L.)

cr ip

t

esculentus L.)

15

3

16

Table 2. Heavy metal contents of vegetables. Content (mg·kg-1 a)

Eggplant

Mean

0.72

0.83

0.774

0.78

0.86

Min

Max

0.018

Mean

SE

Min

M

7.4

8.1

7.66

0.11

0.42

4

0.012

0.56

0.91

0.712

0.059

2.3

3

0.47

6.724

0.93

7.4

9.3

7.62

0.12

0.42

8

0.11

0.29

0.21

0.03

4.8

5.8

5.34

0.16

0.67

0

0.1

0.19

0.146

0.018

0.02

0.13

0.074

0.018

0.3

0

4.29

pt

Spinach

SE

0.822

ed

(Solanum melongena L.)

cr ip

Max

us

(Portulaca oleracea L.)

Min

M an

Lucerne

Pb

t

Cu

ce

(Spinacia oleracea L.)

Maize

Ac


Vegetable

(Zea mays L.)

Bitter gourd

16

17

(Momordica charantia L.)

Chilies

0.07

0.11

0.9

1.65

0.18

1.22

1.57

1.366

0.069

0.07

0.16

0.114

0.017

0.08

0.78

1.31

1.048

0.10

0.27

(Luffa cylindrica L.)

0

1.83

1.526

0.125

1.11

1

0.12

0.098

0.007

0.07

0

0.89

1.38

1.11

0.094

0.65

1

pt

0.22

0.31

0.35

16.62

0.31

0.45

0.44

16.60

0.22

0

1.45

1.98

1.19

0.09

0.72

1.67

1.186

0.161

1.11

2

ce

Gourd

0.09

ed

Mustard (Brassica nigra L.)

cr ip

M an

Luffa

(Lagenaria siceraria L.)

Ac


(Amaranthus spp. L.)

1.22

us

Amaranthus

1.62

t

(Capsicum annum L.)

0.23

Cluster beans

[Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)

17

18

Taub.]

Okra

0.58

0.75

0.688

0.032

7

7.8

7

1.28

0.38

0.47

2.22

3.67

2.5

1.85

us M an

b

Dry weight basis.

maximum allowable limits (mg/kg): Cr = 2.3; Cu = 40; Ni = 0.02-50; Pb = 0.3 mg·kg-1

ce

pt

ed

(WHO/FAO, 1995; Eslami et al., 2007)

Ac


(Piper betle L.)

cr ip

Beetle leaf

a

0.016

3.5

4

1.35

4

t

(Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

0.434

18