ASSESSING HEAVY METAL POLLUTION RISKS IN SOIL AND VEGETABLES FROM WASTEWATER IRRIGATION

Wastewater is using worldwide to meet irrigation requirements, however, it can cause serious health implications in human. The wastewater contains a significant amount of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) lead (Pb), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn), which can pose serious threat to humans. The present survey research was carried out to assess the impacts of sewerage and industrial wastewater on soil physio-chemical properties and heavy metals accumulation in soil and leaves of vegetable grown at Saggian, Lahore Pakistan. Results indicated that the pH of soil ranged from 6.99-7.24, soil electrical conductivity (EC) from 2.0-3.1 dSm(-1), organic matter content from 0.98-1.20%, bulk density (BD) of soil from 1.21-1.24 cm(-3), sodium absorption ratio (SAR) from 6.81 to 7.33 and wet aggregate stability from 11-14%. The concentration of heavy metals in vegetable samples were recorded as followings: 4.09-5.46 mg kg(-1) for Pb, 12.01-13.64 mg kg(-1) for Cu, 0.11-0.44 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 12.01-13.69 mg kg(-1) for nickel, 0.001-0.005 mg kg(-1) for Cd and 2.01-2.38 mg kg(-1) for chromium. The concentration of heavy metals in soil samples were the followings: 37-59 mg kg(-1) for Ni, 103-142 mg kg(-1) for Cr, 84-130 mg kg(-1) for Zn, 37-68 mg kg(-1) for Cu, 84-130 mg kg(-1) for Pb and 0.31-0.75 mg kg(-1) for Cd.