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ASSESSMENT OF BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN SUNFLOWER CULTIVATED IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREA NEXT TO STEEL INDUSTRY
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the levels of heavy metals (HM) in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivated on agricultural soils in the vicinity of a steel enterprise located in the western part of Galati town, Romania, and the pattern of their bioaccumulation from soil to plant compartments (leaves, seeds). The importance of the study originates from the necessity of understanding the HM pollution in soil-plant systems, especially in an agroecosystem impacted by the activity of ferrous metallurgical industry, and for taking appropriate measures to reduce the contamination of crops destined for human consumption and feed production, adjusting planting patterns and minimizing the risk for population exposure to toxic elements. Soil samples were taken from two standard depths (0-5 cm and 5-30 cm) at three sites and related plants samples were collected at their appropriate maturation states and separated on physiological sections, from which leaves and seeds were analyzed. The concentrations of selected HMs (Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn) in soil and plant samples were determined by High-Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) technique using protocols established at INPOLDE interdisciplinary research network, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, Romania. The element concentrations in plant tissues generally decrease in the order Cd>Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Co. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was used to assess the translocation of HMs by sunflower from parent soil. Results obtained in this study demonstrate that the metal accumulation is element- and compartment-specific. The average BAFs, calculated for the tissue concentration values above the detection limit, present similar variation patterns, being in the following order: a) for sunflower leaves Cd (2.512) > Zn (1.634) > Ni (0.137) > Co (0.126) > Cr (0.004); b) for sunflower seeds Cd (1.714) > Zn (1.116) > Ni (0.168) > Pb (0.188) > Cr (0.005). Therefore, Cd was the most easily accumulated in crop parts, followed by Zn, and Cr had the lowest accumulation level. A discussion is made regarding the health impact of contaminated farmland sites and potential risks due to consumption of sunflower seeds.
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