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Bioaccumulation of arsenic and fluoride in vegetables from growing media: health risk assessment among different age groups

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Abstract

The current study was conducted to evaluate the arsenic (As) and fluoride (F−) concentrations in growing media (stored rainwater and soil), of district Tharparkar, Pakistan. The bioaccumulation/transportation of As and F from growing media to different types of vegetables (wild cucumis, Indian squish and cluster bean) was evaluated. Total concentrations of As and F− in stored rainwater samples were observed up to 585 μg/L and 32.4 mg/L, respectively, exceeding many folds higher than WHO provisional guideline values. The As and F− contents in soil samples of nine agricultural sites were found in the range of 121–254 mg/kg and 115–478 mg/kg, respectively. The highest contents of As and F− were observed in wild cucumis as compared to Indian squish and cluster bean (p < 0.05), grown in the same agricultural field. The bioaccumulation factors of As and F− were to be > 4.00, indicating the high rate of transportation of As and F− from growing media to vegetables. A significant positive correlation of As and F− in vegetables with their concentrations in soil and water was observed (r > 0.60 with p < 0.05). The risk assessment elucidated that the population of different age group consuming local vegetables and drinking water contaminated with As and F− may have adverse health effects.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the financial support of the Higher Education commission (HEC), Islamabad, Pakistan (Pin # 2Ps1-182).

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  1. National Centre of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, 76080, Pakistan

    Tasneem G. Kazi, Kapil D. Brahman, Jameel A. Baig & Hassan I. Afridi

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Kazi, T.G., Brahman, K.D., Baig, J.A. et al. Bioaccumulation of arsenic and fluoride in vegetables from growing media: health risk assessment among different age groups. Environ Geochem Health 41, 1223–1234 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-018-0207-8

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