Effects of irrigation with wastewater on the physiological properties and heavy metal content in Lepidium sativum L. and Eruca sativa (Mill.)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological properties of and heavy metal content in Lepidium sativum L. and Eruca sativa (Mill.) irrigated with municipal wastewater for 20 days. Wastewater was taken from a section where all wastewater of Adiyaman is collected. We analysed the soil for physicochemical properties, heavy metals and nutrient content and the plants for photosynthetic pigment content, dry weight and length. Irrigation wastewater increased the electrical conductivity and organic matter content in plant soil. In both plant soils, Cd and Ni content significantly increased with respect to control. Dry matter content decreased significantly in the edible parts, and the length of the edible parts increased significantly in E. sativa. Photosynthetic pigment content increased in L. sativum and decreased in E. sativa. Nutrient content changed significantly in both plants. In the edible parts of L. sativum, Cd and Ni content increased significantly compared to Pb and Cr. The edible parts of E. sativa also showed a higher Cd level than the control plant. The enrichment factor of the heavy metals in the edible parts of L. sativum followed this order: Cu> Pb > Cd > Ni > Cr and of E. sativa: Pb > Cd > Cu > Cr > Ni. The edible parts of both plants showed a high transfer factor (TF > 1) for Cd, which points to high mobility of Cd from soil to plant. In conclusion, the use of wastewater for irrigation increased heavy metal content in both plants and affected their physiological and morphological properties.

The Impact of Copper Ions on Oxidative Stress in Garden Cress Lepidium sativum

“…The our results confirm that copper accumulation in plants depends on the concentration of metal ions in the growing medium [14,34].…”

“…Effects of metals have been studied intensively at the level of biochemical-physiological and metal accumulation in plant tissue [13,14].…”

“…Therefore, protein content is used as an important indicator of the physiological status of plants [4]. Metal stress in plants usually leads to reduction of protein content [13][14][15][16]. However, in few cases, increase protein content was noted [4,13,17,18].…”

Heavy Metal Residues in Soil and Accumulation in Maize at Long-Term Wastewater Irrigation Area in Tongliao, China

“…In addition, several studies have emphasized the risks of heavy metal accumulation in topsoils irrigated with wastewater [15][16][17][18][19]. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated that wastewater-irrigated plants may absorb and accumulate heavy metals at concentrations that are greater than the maximum permissible limits, which can result in serious public health problems [20][21][22]. Although Shah et al [7] studied the accumulation of heavy metals in different plants, few studies have been published regarding the accumulation of heavy metal in different plant organs.…”

Global Experiences on Wastewater Irrigation: Challenges and Prospects

“…There was no signifi cant difference between the use of treated effl uents and topdressing for reduction in the mineral fertilisers spending. Keser ( 2013 ) showed that the use of wastewater for irrigation in Turkey increased heavy metal content in both Lepidium sativum L. and Eruca sativa (Mill.) and affected their physiological and morphological properties.…”