Monitoring of heavy metals in vegetables and soil of agricultural fields of Kathmandu Valley

Abstract

Evaluation of heavy metals in vegetables and soil of agricultural fie1ds of Kathmandu valley was conducted. Highest accumulations of copper (65.5 mg kg^-1;, lead 146.75m g kg^-1) and cadmium( 2 mg kg^-1) from Shankhamul; nickel (29.25mg kg^-1) from Nakhu; cobalt (15.25mg kg^-1) and manganese (675 mg kg^-1; from Balkhu; chromium (73.75 mg kg^-1; from Banasthali, zinc (162 mg kg^-1) and iron (75636 mg kg^-1; from Khusibun were recorded in soil of agricultural fields. Highest accumulations of Cu, Co and Zn were recorded in spinach and Pb in red radish; Ni, Cr and Fe was recorded in broad leaf mustard and Mn in cress leaf while considering the mean of each vegetables studied. Concentration of non-essential but toxic metal like Pb was higher than the normal plant value (0.1-10mg kg^-1) in all the vegetables (except potato) collected from different sampling sites.

Key words: Heavy metals; Soil; Vegetables

doi: 10.3126/eco.v12i0.3189

Ecoprint: An International Journal of Ecology 12: 1-9, 2005