ASSESSMENT OF As, Pb AND Cd IN SOILS AND VECETABLES COLLECTED FROM 5 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS OF CHANDPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

An experiment was designed to assess the concentration of Arsenic (As). Lead (Ph) and Cadmium (Cd) in soils and 12 different vegetable species (Cabbage, Radish, Tomato, Sponge gourd, Spinach. Brinjal, Red amaranth. Data shak, Potato, Onion, Garlic, Bottle gourd) collected from five different locations (Karaia, Charbhairabi, Gazra, Tamta and Faridganj unions) of Chandpur district. Forty soil and sixty vegetable samples were collected during Rabi season. Concentrations of As, Pb and Cd in soils were 8.80. 16.24 and 0.53 pg g, respectively. As, Pb and Cd concentrations of soils were within the set value for maximum acceptable concentration (20. 100 and 5 pg g', respectively) for satisfactory crop production. Concentrations of heavy metals were higher in leafS' vegetables compared to fruits and root and tuber type vegetables. The mean concentrations of As. Pb and Cd in vegetables ranged between 0.31-0.81, 0.08-0.59, 0.12-0.34 pg respectively. Highest concentration of Pb (0.59 pg g') was found in both cabbage and radish while the highest concentrations of As (0.81 pg g") was recorded with cabbage. Highest concentration of Cd (0.34 pg gd) was observed in both sponge gourd and red amaranth. However, the highest concentration of As in vegetables under the study was within the safe limit (2.6 pg g') whereas Pb and Cd were found above the safe limit (0.3 and 0.2 pg g', respectively) for human consumption.