Transfer factor as indicator of heavy metal content in plants around adipala steam power plant

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify and characterize the main and trace metals in plant (cassava leaves and grass) and soil. Results of the characterization was used to determine the transfer factor (TF) of metal absorption from soil to plant around Adipala power plant located in Cilacap Regency. Measurement of metal concentrations were carried out using instrumental neutron activation analysis techniques. Samples were irradiated in Rabbit and Lazy Susan system facility at the Kartini research reactor located in Centre for Accelerator Science and Technology. Irradiated samples then counted using HPGe detector. Concentration values for heavy metals were below the maximum recommended value stated by WHO and FAO. Transfer factor (TF) is used to assess the concentration of metals in cassava leaves and grass taken from soil. The TF value calculated in this research were below 1, this implied that cassava leaves and grass were safe from the risk of heavy metals. The highest transfer factor value is Sb, it showed that is Sb was more mobile compare to other metals.

Concentrations and human health risk assessment of selected heavy metals in soils and food crops around Osukuru phosphate mine, Tororo District, Uganda

“…This can significantly contaminate the food eaten by man hence leading to health complications. On other hand, a mobility factor less than unity describes the decline of crops to take in certain poisonous elements that can directly affect their rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance [30] . In other words, crops have the capability to absorb and decline the uptake of some metal elements and this capacity depends on the plant species and their adaptation to the environmental conditions.…”

Caesium-133 Accumulation by Freshwater Macrophytes: Partitioning of Translocated Ions and Enzyme Activity in Plants and Microorganisms

“…The transfer factor (TF) of Cs-133 from the aquatic phase to plants was calculated according to [29], with minor modifications, as stated in Equation ( 1):…”

Heavy metal concentrations in the edible portions of Centella asiatica: Health risk toward chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology

“…Further, TF is used to comprehend the transport mechanisms of heavy metals in different plant components such as roots, stems and leaves [33,34]. Similar to the BCF, the TF > 1 indicates that the species is a hyper-accumulator for the corresponding heavy metal [35]. In the present study, TF soil-root for Cd was higher than 1 in both organic and non-organic cultivations during both seasons indicating hyper-accumulation of Cd in the roots of Centella asiatica.…”