MONITORING OF HEAVY METALS POLLUTION WITH FRUITS TREE CULTIVATED NEAR IN INDUSTRIAL SOURCE AT MITROVICA, KOSOVO

References: 17th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2017, www.sgem.org, SGEM2017 Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-09-6 / ISSN 1314-2704, 29 June - 5 July, 2017, Vol. 17, Issue 52, 643-650 pp, DOI: 10.5593/sgem2017/52/S20.082

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the degree of heavy metal accumulation in fruits, leaf, shoots and associated potential health risks in agricultural areas of the Mitrovica city, northern Kosova. Total concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe) were determined in soil and fruits, leaf, shoots apple tree with rootstock MM106. Samples collected from agricultural areas (near Mitrovica city), have been analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Zn, Cu, Cr and Fe) using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results indicated that the average concentrations of Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Zn, Cu, Cr and Fe in soil were 3.46, 0.82, 0.04, 17.69, 49.25, 8.11, 19.51, 10.12 mg/kg respectively. The concentration of metals in the apple tissue increased with the increase of heavy metals in soils from polluted area. Compared with the control, contents of analyzed metals (Pb, Cd, As, Ni, Zn, Cr and Fe) from plant tissues of apple trees in the contaminated area were significantly higher (p<0.001; p<0.01). Bioaccumulation factors (BCF) differed considerably among the samples and between polluted and unpolluted regions. The quantity of the mobile and potentially bioavailable heavy metals in the studied soils threatens the quality of consumption apple fruits, with a real risk that these elements (Pb, Ni and Cr) could enter the food chain.

Keywords: Bioavailability, Heavy metals, Apple, Bioaccumulation factor, Fruit consumption safety.