Assessing heavy metal concentrations in selected crops grown on polluted wetland soils in Bindura

Author

Goto, Nyasha

Title

Assessing heavy metal concentrations in selected crops grown on polluted wetland soils in Bindura

Abstract

This study sought to assess heavy metals concentrations in crops grown on polluted wetland soils and to compare them with World Health Organisation recommended thresholds meant to safeguard human health upon consumption. The selected heavy metals included Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb and Fe. The study was carried out at a polluted wetland located near the Bindura University of Science Education Astra campus. Crop produce samples were collected from the wetland garden near Astra Campus and prepared for laboratory analysis following standard procedures. The selected crops included okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), vegetable leaves (Brassica napus), chillies (Capsicum frutescenes), green pepper (Capsicum annum), eggplant (Solanum melongena), tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), madhumbe (Colocasia esculenta) and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas). A quasi experimental design was used in the process. Two factors were designed (plant and growth media). Repeated Measures ANOVA was carried out on the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23. World Health Organisation standards were used for benchmarking the concentration of selected trace elements in selected crop produce. Studied results all indicated heavy metal concentrations below the World Health Organization thresholds. In other terms, the results were complying with WHO standards. This study concluded that the studied crops were safe for human consumption and there is also need for other studies to concentrate on heavy metal concentrations in different parts of the plant as they are likely to variably accumulate.

Date

May 2022

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

World Health Organisation

Consumption

Heavy metal concentrations

Supervisor

Mr. A. Kundhlande