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EFFECT OF LONG -TERM SEWAGE WATER IRRIGATION ON MICRONUTRIENT AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT IN SOIL AND PLANTS UNDER MUSI RIVER BASIN IN HYDERABAD

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the extent of contamination due to accumulation of trace and heavy metals in the soil and leafy vegetables by continuous use of sewage water for irrigation purpose under Musi River Basin of Hyderabad, in India. The sewage water contaminated with the effluents of industrial units was used for irrigating the leafy vegetables, which in turn contaminates the surface and ground water and food chain. Some of the analyzed values for heavy and trace metals were found to be higher than the safe limits suggested by Food and Agricultural Organization. The mean Zn contents of sewage and ground water treated soils were 1.95 and 1.74, 1.27 and 1.20 mg kg-1 in surface and subsurface soils respectively. Whereas, in control soils, the corresponding values were 1.18 and 1.09 mg kg-1 respectively. The present study also established that the mean contents of heavy and trace metals especially Pb, Ni and Cd in sewage and ground water treated soils were higher compared to the control (un irrigated soils). Similarly, their contents in leafy vegetables grown with sewage water were higher than those grown with ground water and no irrigation (control). The mean concentrations of Cadmium (Cd) in plant samples of Palak, Amaranthus, Spinach, Coriander, Green chillies and Paragrass under sewage irrigated condition were 2.08, 2.61, 2.28, 0.93, 2.11 and 1.80 mg kg-1 respectively. However, with ground water irrigation, the corresponding values were 1.31, 1.53, 1.06, 0.53, 1.34 and 1.22 mg kg-1 which were relatively lower. Under no irrigation (control), the corresponding values were 0.31, 0.15, 0.15, 0.17, 0.11 and 0.20 mg kg-1 which were quite lower. The plant concentration of heavy metals correlated well with their respective concentration in sewage water and soil. Thus, the information presented in this paper will be useful to future researchers, periurban consumers of leafy vegetable products, environmentalists and others stake holders.

K. USHA RANI, K.L. SHARMA, K. NAGASRI, D. SUMA CHANDRIKA, V.L. SAVITHRI AND MUNNA LAL

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