Heavy metals uptake by the global economic crop (Pisum sativum L.) grown in contaminated soils and its associated health risks

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the different organs of Pisum sativum L. (garden pea) grown in contaminated soils in comparison to nonpolluted soils in the South Cairo and Giza provinces, Egypt, and their effect on consumers’ health. To collect soil and plant samples from two nonpolluted and two polluted farms, five quadrats, each of 1 m2, were collected per each farm and used for growth measurement and chemical analysis. The daily intake of metals (DIM) and its associated health risks (health risk index (HRI) were also assessed. The investigated heavy metals were cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), cobalt (Co) and vanadium (V). Significant differences in soil heavy metals, except As, between nonpolluted and polluted sites were recorded. Fresh and dry phytomass, photosynthetic pigments, fruit production, and organic and inorganic nutrients were reduced in the polluted sites, where there was a high concentration of heavy metals in the fruit. The bioaccumulation factor for all studied heavy metals exceeded 1 in the polluted sites and only Pb, Cu and Mn exceeded 1 in the nonpolluted sites. Except for Fe, the DIM of the studied heavy metals in both sites did not exceed 1 in either children or adults. However, the HRI of Pb, Cd, Fe, and Mn in the polluted plants and Pb in the nonpolluted ones exceeded 1, indicating significant potential health risks to consumers. The authors recommend not to eat garden peas grown in the polluted sites, and farmers should carefully grow heavy metals non-accumulating food crops or non-edible plants for other purposes such as animal forages.

Effects of Tetracycline, Sulfonamide, Fluoroquinolone, and Lincosamide Load in Pig Slurry on Lettuce: Agricultural and Human Health Implications

“…These results are in keeping with those reported by Bhardwaj et al (2009), who found that soluble carbohydrate content in Phaseolus vulgaris L plants decreased with increasing concentrations of heavy metals (Pb and Cd). Similarly, Galal et al (2021) found that proteins and carbohydrates declined in the tissues of P. sativum cultivated in soils polluted with heavy metals compared to unpolluted soils. Conversely, lipid concentration increased…”

Under cadmium stress, silicon has a defensive effect on the morphology, physiology, and anatomy of pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants

“… Hussain et al., 2019 considered Si to be a growth regulator and played a defensive role against various biotic and abiotic stresses in previous research. Furthermore, Si application may have contributed to improved pea growth performance under stress and non-stress conditions by increasing photosynthesis as indicated by increased chlorophyll levels ( Galal et al., 2021 ). The photosynthetic pigments (Chl a and Chl b) were significantly reduced by Cd toxicity.…”

Moringa oleifera Seed Treated Sanitized Water Effect on Growth and Morpho-physiology of Commonly Consumed Vegetables of Malaysia

“…On an average kangkong had the lowest amount of moisture content compared to other vegetables may be due to the hollow stem and narrow leaves structure (Prasad et al, 2008). From the results it is observed that in most cases the highest dry weight was recorded in untreated waste water (T2), it is may be due to the heavy metals up taken by those vegetable plants (Zhou et al, 2016;Galal et al, 2021). Plant moisture content showed that the water content in the plants which can also show how fresh the plants are (Oulaï et al, 2016).…”