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Abstract
The aim of the present research was to determine the concentrations of chromium (Cr) and cobalt (Co) in soil, vegetables grown at the areas which are usually irrigated with canal water (CW) and sewage water (SW). The samples were analysed through Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean concentrations of Cr and Co in soil samples varied from 0.9 to 1.80 mg/kg and 0.575 to 1.10 mg/kg, respectively. The highest value of Cr was observed in Solanum lycopersicum irrigated with SWI and the lowest in Brassica rapa irrigated with CW. While in case of cobalt, the highest value was found in Solanum lycopersicum irrigated with SW and the lowest was noticed in Capsicum baccatum irrigated with CW. In all vegetables, the daily intake of metal values for Cr and Co were higher in SWI as compared to the CWI. Bio-concentration factor values of heavy metals were less than 1 in all vegetables for Cr and Co, and these results specified that metal bioavailability was low at CWI and SWI. Health Risk Index values of Cr and Co were less than one. The findings suggested that the locals were safe while consuming these vegetables but consistent use of waste water may increase the risk of contaminants as they may reach the toxic levels.
Keywords: Chromium; Cobalt; Wastewater; Vegetables
Introduction
Trace metals are potentially toxic and even lesser quantities of these metals in organisms are harmful as they are utilized in industrial processes [1]. Trace metals could be collected in the food stuff consumed by humans and other living beings [2]. Wastewaters have higher concentration of potentially toxic metals [3, 4]. The infectivity of vegetables by these metals could be because of excessive use of sewage water in irrigation [5, 6]. Extended ingestion of these heavy metals by consuming contaminated vegetables could be lethal to humans and organisms resulting in many biological disorders [7, 8].
The levels of trace metals are increasing day by day in ecosystems and cause uneasiness among people because of occurrence of trace metal remains [9, 10]. The community has become fearful and worried regarding the safety of vegetables because the food items having heavy metals are not considered appropriate for consumption. Hazards related to utilization of contaminated food items have increased manifolds...