ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN FRUIT AND VEGETABLES GROWN IN SAMAWAH CITY, IRAQ
European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine,
2021, Volume 8, Issue 1, Pages 1600-1612
Abstract
This research is conducted to evaluate the levels of some heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, and As) in fruits and vegetables which are cultivated in farms in different areas of Al-Samawah city, Iraq. The estimation of heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The collectedsamples were digested using tri-acid mixture of HNO3, HClO4 and H2SO4(5:1:1). The results showed that fruit samples were within the permissible levels according to (WHO/FAO), with concentrations of Pb (0.101 -0.405 mg/kg), Cd (0.007 - 0.032 mg/kg), Cr (0.013- 0.131mg/kg) Hg (0.002 - 0.003 mg/kg). For vegetables,results showed thatthe highest concentration of Pb was detected in olive and basil samples with values of 2.122 mg/kg and 2.538 mg/kg, respectively. Pb concentrationsfor the rest of vegetables were within the permissible levels with concentrations ranged at (0.109 -1.451mg/kg). On the other hand, tomatoes showed high levels of Cd with value of (0.211 mg/kg), the results of this metal for the rest of vegetables were at the permissible limitwith values ranged of (0.003- 0.095 mg/kg). The levels of Cr and Hg for vegetables were at the permissible limit with values ranged at (0.110 - 0.326mg/kg), (0.001 - 0.008 mg/kg) respectively.The results indicatesthat fruits and vegetables samples are not contaminated with arsenic,as this metal is not detected by AAS instrument.
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