Determination and Evaluation of Copper, Lead and Zinc in Leek Vegetable from Some Olericulture Farms of Hamedan, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Heavy metals are ubiquitous in the environment, as aresult of both natural and anthropogenic activities, and humans are exposed to them throughvarious pathways, especially food chain. So, this study aimed to assess heavy metals (Cu,Pb and Zn) concentrations in different parts of the leek vegetable in Hamedan Province,Iran.Materials & Methods: Leek samples were collected from 3 farms in Hamedan, Iran.Samples were digested, using wet digestion method (HNO3 solution) and the concentrationsof total Cu, Pb, and Zn were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emissionspectroscopy (ICP-AE).Results: The average concentrations of heavy metals in different parts of the root, stalk andleaf of the Leek were in order; Copper (0.34, 0.54, 0.71), Lead (0.03, 0.05, 0.16) and Zinc(1.42, 3.43, 4.5) mgkg-1; So, all samples concentrations were lower than the permissiblelimits which are recommended by FAO/WHO. Also, most of the heavy metals werepositively correlated with each other in concentration.Conclusions: Pearson correlation test showed that Cu, Pb and Zn are similar naturally andrelated to the anthropic activities especially chemical fertilizer, implies the sameinteractions and/or relationships among these metals. According to the results, there is norisk to consumers via consumption of the leek vegetable. Appropriate measures should betaken to an effective control of heavy metal levels in vegetable soils and protect the humanhealth finally.

کلیدواژه ها:

Heavy Metals ، Pollution ، Purification ، Vegetable ، Leek ، Olericulture Farms ، Hamedan ، Iran