Heavy Metals Concentration in Soil-Plant-Animal Continuum under Semi-Arid Conditions of Punjab, Pakistan

To determine the lead and cadmium flow in soil-plant-animal continuum under semi-arid conditions, the present study was carried out at a Livestock Experimental Station. The experimental work was performed on soil, forage plants and animal blood plasma samples were taken at four different time periods with one month interval. These samples were analyzed for Pb and Cd by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Higher concentration of Pb was found in soil and forage than the blood plasma. On the other hand, cadmium in soil, forage and blood plasma was found as non-significant due to its accumulation in low concentration. It also indicated lower concentrations of Pb and Cd in blood plasma which were at marginal deficient levels. Based on this study, it can be suggested that the value of Pb in soil was greater than the critical levels, while Cd concentration in soil, forage or blood plasma and Pb concentration in forage and blood plasma were within the non-toxic range. So no need of supplementation of livestock with a mixture of these elements in this (semi-arid) climatic region, however, toxic level of Pb in soil is of major concern.