Determination of heavy metals in vegetables and soils at sewerage farm in Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE), Karachi

A study was conducted to determine the concentration of heavy metal accumulation, in soil and vegetables grown at Gutter Baghicha, where untreated mixture of industrial effluents and sewerage is being used. The maximum concentration of heavy metals determined in soil were found to be 12228 (Fe), 870 (Zn), 439 (Mn), 177 (Cu), 64 (Ni), 63 (Cr), 122(Pb), 0.98 (Cd) and 14 (Co) ppm. It is concluded that the high levels of heavy metals found in the vegetables grown in this area is due to continuous use of untreated industrial effluents The heavy metals accumulation in the vegetables grown on these soils were also determined. The matrix correlation for all these metals is reported. These correlations indicate that the metals came from the same source. The physical properties of soil and heavy metals concentration in particulate matter / water used for irrigation is also presented. This baseline data generated will help to establish any harmful effect on human with the use of vegetables grown with polluted waster.