EVALUATION OF HEAVY METALS (Cu, Zn, Pb) UPTAKE IN CARROT AND ASSOCIATED HEALTH RISK

Abstract

 The escalating levels of heavy metals in soil, attributed to diverse sources, pose a pressing concern for human and animal health through their entry into the food chain. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake behavior of Cu, Zn, and Pb in carrots grown in different levels of contaminated soil (control, 30, 60, 90, 120 ppm) and to assess the associated health risks to mitigate the enrichment of heavy metals. The pot study revealed distinct trends in the bioaccumulation of these metals within the carrot plants, with Zn exhibiting the highest uptake, followed by Cu and Pb. Results demonstrated varying ranges of metal concentrations in the carrot plants, at 120 ppm soil contamination level, Zn, Cu, and Pb concentrations in the edible part of the carrot measured 59.7, 27.5, and 2.5 mg kg^-1, respectively, surpassing WHO limits. Bioaccumulation factor spanning from 0.3 to 0.6 for Cu, 0.3 to 0.8 for Zn, and 0 to 0.4 for Pb, indicating differential uptake behaviors among these metals. Health risk index (< 1) indicated that immediate health risks were not significant but highlighting potential risks with long-term exposure. Notably, the side roots of the carrot plant exhibited higher metal concentrations, underscoring the importance of consuming washed and peeled carrots. This study emphasizes the implementation of preventive measures, such as optimal soil zone management and regular monitoring of soil and crop metal concentrations, to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity.