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Heavy Metal Pollution of Soil and Vegetable Grown Near Roadside at Gazipur

HABIB MOHAMMAD NASER
Senior Scientific Officer
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur-1701

SARMIN SULTANA
Scientific Officer
Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur-1701

REBECA GOMES
Principal Scientific Officer
Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur-170

SHAMSUN NOOR
Chief Scientific Officer & Head
Soil Science Division, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Levels of lead, cadmium, and nickel in roadside soils and vegetables along a major highway in Gazipur, Bangladesh were investigated. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0, 50, 100, and 1000 m (meter) from the road. The concentrations of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in soil and vegetables (bottle gourd and pumpkin) decreased with distance from the road, indicating their relation to traffic and automotive emissions. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) was found to be independent of distance from road. There were significant differences in the concentrations of lead, cadmium, and nickel for different plant species and soils at various distances. The heavy metals contents both in the soils and vegetables for every distance from the road was found in the order nickel>lead>cadmium.

Keywords: Pollution, Heavy metal, Roadside soil, Vegetables

Location: Joydebpur, Gazipur

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Bottle gourd, Pumpkin

Objectives:

To know the level of heavy metal accumulation status in roadside soil and vegetable crops.

Methodology:

The area selected for the study was a dual carriage highway about 5 km north from Joydebpur centre (Road-round about of Joydebpur) and runs northward. It carries, on an average, 9,000 motor vehicles per day. The site was selected for this study because it links capital city (Dhaka) and it has a comparatively high traffic density. There are also no major road intersections to cause a significant decrease in the traffic density. Edible parts (stem, leaf, and fruit) from two popular vegetables, namely bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) and pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata); and its associated soils were taken at distance of 0m, 50m, 100m, and 1000m (meter) from the edge of the road. Every distance replicated thrice as sample-1, sample- 2, and sample-3. The 1000m site was used as the reference site. It was characterized by no traffic density. This site is sparsely populated and basically residential with no industrial activities. Soil samples were taken at a distance of 0, 50, 100, and 1000 meter from the highway at selected sites. Three soil samples were taken from three points from each distance. Soil samples were taken from the upper soil layer of 0–5 cm. Each soil sample was air dried, and all clods and crumbs were removed and mixed uniformly by sampling. Soils were sieved through a 2-mm sieve to remove coarse particles before sub-sampling for chemical analysis. Three plant samples were taken from three points from each distance and samples were prepared for each distance. The plant materials were then packed into polythene bags and taken to the laboratory for analysis. After delivery to the laboratory, all vegetables were washed in fresh running water to eliminate dusts, dirties, possible parasites or their eggs and were finally washed with deionized water. The clean vegetable samples were air-dried and placed in an electric oven at 65 °C for 72–96 h depending on the sample size. The dry vegetable samples were homogenized by grinding using a ceramic coated grinder and used for metal analysis. All soil samples were spread on plastic trays and allowed to dry at ambient temperature for 8 days. The dry soil samples were ground with a ceramic coated grinder and sieved through a nylon sieve. The final samples were kept in labeled polypropylene containers at ambient temperature before analysis. One gram dry plant or soil sample was weighed into 50-ml volumetric flask, followed by the addition of 10 ml mixture of analytical grade acids HNO₃: HCIO₄ in the ratio 5:1. The digestion was performed at a temperature of about 190⁰C for 1.5 h. After cooling, the solution was made up to a final volume with distilled water. The metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using a VARIAN model AA2407 (USA) Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Analysis of each sample was carried out four times to obtain representative results and the data reported in µg/g (on a dry matter basis). Statistical differences were performed by Tukey’s multiple comparisons test by using Excel Statistics version 4.0.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 37(1): 9-17, March 2012, ISSN 0258-7122

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The concentrations of lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in soil and vegetables (bottle gourd and pumpkin) decreased with distance from the road, indicating their relation to traffic and automotive emissions. The concentration of cadmium (Cd) was found to be independent of distance from road. There were significant differences in the concentrations of lead, cadmium, and nickel for different plant species and soils at various distances. The heavy metals contents both in the soils and vegetables for every distance from the road was found in the order nickel>lead>cadmium.

Knowledge Management: Journal