Biotransfer of cobalt along a soil-plant-chicken food chain: Implication for public health

Abstract

This study was carried out for the determination of cobalt (Co) accumulation in four varieties of maize (grains, shoot and root) and in seven tissues of chickens (blood, bone, breast meat, kidney, liver, heart and gizzard) using wet digestion method by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Representative samples of water, soil, grains and different chicken parts were assayed for Co contents. Compared to canal and ground water, sewage water had the highest concentration of Co, which is the reason why the maize plants irrigated with sewage water had the highest Co concentration. The group of chickens that were reared with grains treated by sewage water treated grains also showed the highest Co concentration in their body parts compared to the other groups. Enrichment factor and pollution load index for the soil, as well as bioconcentration, bioaccumulation and transfer factors were assessed to evaluate the transfer of Co from water to soil and to the plant. Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) was also calculated to estimate the potential human health risk of Co contamination from consumption of selected chicken parts (liver, breast meat and gizzard) by the local inhabitants and found the THQ values <1. THQ values for Co were less than 1.0 for meat, liver and gizzard which indicated that the exposed population was unlikely to experience obvious adverse effects on utilization of these poultry edibles.