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Mercury Accumulation and Partitioning in Selected Vegetables Grown in Soil Contaminated with Waste Water Irrigation

H. M. Naser
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

S. Sultana
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

N. U. Mahmud
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

M. H. Rashid
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

S. Akhter
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

R. A. Begum
Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The mercury (Hg) uptake, distribution and subsequent metal partitioning in three species of fruity vegetable plants namely sweet gourd (Cucurbita maxima), bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and the rizosphere soils of the respective crops were investigated. Mercury was analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer using Vapor and Hydride Generation assembly. The accumulation of Hg in the plants was twofold higher in roots, stem, leaves and fruit at waste water-irrigated site compared to concentrations were recorded at clean water- irrigated site. Mercury concentrations for soils and plants exhibited the following hierarchy: soil > roots > leaves > fruit > stems, except sweet gourd stem. The concentrations of Hg in plants followed the rules that sweet gourd > bottle gourd > tomato. Plants sampled from the waste water-irrigated site was found to have moderate to high concentrations of Hg (10.4-28.4 pg kg^-I) in both the roots and aerial parts, thus reflecting the variability of this element content among the plant species. The distribution of Hg content in plants was positively correlated with that in soils. The Hg in the soil, 38 to 72% was transferred to the root, and 29 to 79% was transferred to the aboveground plant organs. However, concentration of Hg found in the samples of all three types of vegetables, not exceeding the permissible limits provided by FAO/WHO. Pollution Index values not exceeded 1.0 but very close (0.90), therefore, soil is said to be alarming to contaminate by anthropogenic inputs and requires continuous monitoring of this area.

Keywords: Mercury accumulation, Vegetables, Soil Contaminated, Waste Water Irrigation

Location: Kalakoir, Konabari, Gazipur and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management, Heavy metal

Objectives:

To evaluate the total Hg accumulation in soil and vegetables,
To determine the total Hg accumulation in different parts of vegetables, and
To study the relationship between the total Hg concentration in soil and vegetables.

Methodology:

Plant materials and soils: Three species of plants sweet gourd (Cucurbita maxima), bottle gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and the rizosphere soils of the respective crops were collected from farmers' field of Kalakoir, Konabari, Gazipur. The samples in this area were taken from the side irrigated with the Turag river water regarded as waste water-irrigated site (polluted area). The river Turag is highly polluted by industrial effluents, sewage sludge, municipal waste water and urban pollution. And the same vegetables samples were collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipur, regarded as clean water-irrigated site (non-polluted area). Samples collected from different plots in each area were treated as replicates. Plant samples were collected carefully without any disturbance to the root system. Samples were placed in polyethylene bags and brought to laboratory for analysis. All samples were washed with tape water followed with ODI (double de-ionized distilled water) after keeping them on a 2.5-mm-mesh sieve to remove the soil particles adhering to the roots. The samples were separated into root, stem and leaf parts and were air-dried and placed in an electric oven at 65°C for 72-96 h depending on the sample size. Soil samples from rizosphere of respective plants (0-15 cm) were collected with a stainless steel auger from the same locations simultaneously. The distance from one sampling point to another was approximately 150 m. About 300-400 g of the soil was sampled and transferred to a polyethylene bags. Collected soil samples were air dried for several days over Pyrex petry dishes. After drying, the samples both plant and soils were ground into powder form used for Hg analysis. Digestion and Analytical Procedure: The total Hg concentration was determined digesting the sample (1 g) with concentrate HNO₃ and H₂O₂ having a ratio of 2: I (Su et al., 2007); and left overnight for complete contact of material. Next day, samples were digested first at 120°C for 2 hrs and then 180°C on heating digester (Stuart digital hotplate-SD 500) till the solution becomes transparent. Digestion stopped when sample solution reduced to half of the total volume. After cooling, the samples were transferred into 50 ml volumetric flask and solution was made up to a final volume raised up to the mark with distilled water. Standards and samples were stabilized with 2 ml HC1 and I ml HNO₃ per 100 ml solution. Analysis of Hg was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Zeenit- 700, Germany) coupled with Hydride generation assembly. Analysis of each sample was carried out three times to obtain representative results and the data reported In fig kg^-1 (on a dry matter basis). Statistical differences were performed by Tukey's multiple comparisons test by using Excel Statistics version 4.0. Linear correlation coefficients were also computed for various parameters using Microsoft Excel. Pollution Index: The pollution index (PI) was calculated by the following formula (Rai et al., 2011): PI = Ci/Si; Ci: Heavy metal content in a soil sample (µg kg^-1); Si: Permitted standard of the same metal (µg kg^-1). When the PI values exceed 1.0, then soil is said to be contaminated by anthropogenic inputs and requires continuous environmental monitoring of the area.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report, 2013-2014, Soil Science Division, BARI, Garipur

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1.

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Mercury concentrations in plant parts from two study areas increase with Hg concentrations in soil. Plants sampled from the waste water-irrigated site was found to have moderate to high concentrations of Hg (10.4-28.4 µg kg^-1) in both the roots and aerial parts, thus reflecting the variability of this element content among the plant species. The average total contents of Hg in edible parts of vegetables were below the permissible limit of FAO/WHO values for Hg. Regular monitoring of toxic metals in the agricultural soil is needed to check the environmental quality. Moreover different remediation measures should be taking promptly to remove excising metal contamination.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings