Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of sewage water irrigation of cabbage to soil geochemical properties and products safety in peri-urban Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Irrigation of agricultural land with municipal wastewater has become a serious environmental issue due to soil contamination. The objective of the present study was to investigate the extent of contamination of vegetables grown on soil irrigated with untreated sewage water for the last four decades in suburban Peshawar. Samples of sewage water, soil, and vegetables were collected from three different sectors selected for the study. Heavy metals like Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Ni in the three media were determined with atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Statistical analysis of data revealed that the distribution order of these metals is quite different in the analyzed samples. Some of the heavy metals, viz., Cr, Cd, Zn, and Ni, have high skewness with non-normal frequency distribution. The soil of polluted areas showed highest mean concentration of Zn (51.25 mg kg−1), followed by Pb (43.51 mg kg−1), Cu (43.3 mg kg−1), Ni (37.05 mg kg−1), Cr (28.18 mg kg−1), and Cd (8.51 mg kg−1), which were 43, 22, 33, 26, 20, and 6 times higher than the control area, respectively. The ammonium bicarbonate diethylenetriaminepenta acetic acid (AB-DTPA) extractable concentrations of Ni, Cr, and Cu in soil of polluted sectors were 12, 10, and 10 times greater than the those in control sector, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed that enhanced levels of these toxic heavy metals in cabbage (Brassica oleracea) were strongly correlated with extractable and total heavy metal concentration in the soil. Significant difference (at P < 0.012) was observed in the Pb concentration in cabbage of polluted sectors. Zn showed the highest transfer factor (TF) followed by Ni and Cu. Heavy metal concentration in sewage water and soil has exceeded the maximum permissible limits of World Health Organization (WHO 1997).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbas, S. T., Sarfraz, M., Mehdi, S. M., & Hassan, G. (2007). Trace elements accumulation in soil and rice plants irrigated with the contaminated water. Soil and Tillage Research, 94(2), 503–509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, S. E., Grimshaw, H. M., & Rowland, A. P. (1986). Chemical analysis. In P. D. Moore & S. B. Chapman (Eds.), Methods in plant ecology (pp. 285–344). Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publication.

    Google Scholar 

  • APHA (American Public Health Association) (1992). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 16th edn. New York.

  • Awashthi, S. K. (2000). Prevention of food Adulteration Act no. 37 of 1954, State rules as amended for 1999 (3rd ed.). New Delhi: Ashoka Law House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behemuka, T. E., & Mubofu, E. B. (1999). Heavy metals in edible green vegetables grown along the sites of Sinza and Misbaziriver in Dar-e-Salam Tanzania. Food Chemistry, 66, 63–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bose, S., & Bhattacharyya, A. K. (2008). Heavy metal accumulation in wheat plant grown in soil amended with industrial sludge. Chemosphere, 70(7), 1264–1272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bosnic, M., Buljan, J., & Daniels, R. P. (2000). Pollutants in tannery effluents. UNIDO Regional program for pollution control in tanning industry in South-East, US/RAS/92/120.

  • Butt, M. S., Sharif, K., & Bajwa, B. E. (2005). Hazardous effects of sewage water on the environment: focus on heavy metals and chemical composition of soil and vegetables. Management of Environmental Quality, 16, 338–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dehri, G. S., Brar, M. S., & Malhi, S. S. (2007). Heavy metal concentration of sewage-contaminated water and its impact on underground water, soil and crop plants in alluvial soils of northwestern India. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 38, 1353–1370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO/WHO (2001). Food additives and contaminants. Codex Alimentarius Commission. Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Program, ALI-NORM 01/12A, pp. 1–289.

  • Farooq, M., Farooq, A., & Rashid, U. (2008). Appraisal of heavy metal contents in different vegetables grown in the vicinity of an industrial area. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 40(5), 2099–2116.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, A. P., Antil, R. S., & Singh, A. (1986).Composition of some sewage waters and their effect on soil properties. In Proceedings of National Seminar on Monitoring and Control of Environmental Pollution (pp. 419-425). Chandigarh.

  • Hussain, S. I. (2000). Irrigation of crops with sewage effluent: Implications and movement of lead and chromium as affected by soil texture, lime, gypsum and organic matter. Ph.D. Thesis, Dept. Soil Sci., Univ. Agri., Faisalabad, Pakistan.

  • Jamali, M. K., Kazi, T. G., Arain, M. B., Afridi, H. I., Jalbani, N., & Memon, A. R. (2007). Heavy metal contents of vegetables grown in soil irrigated with mixtures of waste water and sewage sludge in Pakistan, using ultrasonic-assisted pseudo-digestion. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 193(3), 218–228.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jan, F. A., Ishaq, M., Khan, S., Ihsanullah, I., Ahmad, I., & Shakirullah, M. (2010). A comparative study of human health risks via consumption of food crops grown on wastewater irrigated soil (Peshawar) and relatively clean water soil (lower Dir). Journal of Hazardous Materials, 179, 612–621.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kazi, T. G., Arian, M. B., Jamali, M. K., Jalbani, N., Afridi, H. I., Sarfaraz, R. A., Baig, J. A., & Shah, A. Q. (2009). Assessment of water quality of polluted lake using multivariate statistical techniques: a case study. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72, 301–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, S., Aijun, L., Zhang, S., Hu, Q., & Zhu, Y. G. (2008a). Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals in lettuce grown in the soils contaminated with long-term wastewater irrigation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 152(2), 506–515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, S., Cao, Q., Zheng, Y. M., Huang, Y. Z., & Zhu, Y. G. (2008b). Health risks of heavy metals in contaminated soils and food crops irrigated with wastewater in Beijing, China. Environmental Pollution, 152(3), 686–692.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khawaja, M. A., & Nasreen, S. (1989). Studies on effluents from tanneries/leather industries around Charsada- Peshawar areas (K.P.K.). Proceedings of 5th National Chemistry Conference.

  • Khawaja, M. A., Rasool, M. J., Faiz, M., & Irshad, A. (1995). Survey of tannery and leather products manufacturing units in K. P. K. Environmental Protection Agency, Government of K. P. K.

  • Mapanda, F., Mangwayana, E. N., Nyamangara, J., & Giller, K. E. (2005). The effect of long term irrigation using wastewater on heavy metal contents of soils under vegetables in Harare, Zimbabwe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 107, 151–165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Murtaza, G., Ghafoor, A., Qadir, M., Owens, G., Aziz, M. A., Zia, M. H., & Saif, U. (2010). Disposal and use of sewage on agricultural lands in Pakistan. Pedosphere, 20(1), 23–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mussarat, M., Bhatti, A. U., & Khan, F. U. (2007). Concentration of metals in sewage and canal water used for irrigation in Peshawar. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, 23(2), 335–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nan, Z., Li, N., Zhang, C., & Cheng, G. (2002). Cadmium and zinc interaction and their transfer in soil-crop system under actual field conditions. Science of the Total Environment, 285, 187–195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyamangara, J., & Mzezewa, J. (1999). The effects of long-term sewage sludge application on Zn, Cu, Ni and Pb levels in clay loam soil under pasture grass in Zimbabwe. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 73, 199–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, M. A. (1997). Soil and human health: a review. European Journal of Soil Science, 48, 573–592.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rattan, R. K., Dutta, S. P., Chandra, S., & Saharaan, N. (2002). Heavy metals in environments-Indian scenario. Fertiliser News, 47, 21–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saadia, R. T., Munir, H. S., Shaheen, N., Khalique, A., Manzoor, S., & Jaffar, M. (2006). Multivariate analysis of trace metal levels in tannery effluents in relation to soil and water; a case study from Peshawar, Pakistan. Journal of Environmental Management, 79, 20–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadiq, H. (1989). Tannery effluents treatment and strategy in Pakistan. Pakistan Leather Trade Journal, 16.

  • Sardhara, C. N., Kamala, C. T., & Samuel, S. R. (2008). Assessing risk of heavy metals from consuming food grown on sewage irrigated soil and food chain transfer. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 69(3), 513–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SEPA (2005). The limits of pollutants in food. State environmental protection administration, China. GB 2762-2005.

  • Sharma, D. C., Srevastava, P. C., John, B. N., & Chandra, P. (1996). Environmental impact of tannery effluent on heavy metal phytotoxicity and health hazards. Journal of Industrial Pollution Control, 12, 139–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma, R. K., Agrawal, M., & Marshall, F. M. (2008). Heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) contamination of vegetables in urban India: a case study in Varanasi. Environmental Pollution, 154(2), 254–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shivkumar, K., & Biksham, C. (1995). Statistical approach for the assessment of water pollution around industrial areas. A case study from Patancheru, Medak district, India. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 36(3), 229–249.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singare, P. U., Mishra, R. M., Trivedi, M. P. (2012). Heavy metal pollution in Mithi River of Mumbai. Frontiers in Sciences, 2(3), 28–36. doi:10.5923/j.fs.20120203.03.

  • Singh, K. P., Mohon, D., Sinha, S., & Dalwani, R. (2004). Impact assessment of treated/untreated wastewater toxicants discharge by sewage treatment plants on health, agricultural, and environmental quality in wastewater disposal area. Chemosphere, 55, 227–255.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tauber, H. (1949). Chemistry and technology of enzymes. New York: John Killey and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiwana, N. S., Panesar, R. S., & Kansal, B. D. (1987). Characterization of waste water of highly industrialized city of Punjab. In Proc. National Seminar. Impact of environmental protection of future development of India, Nainital, 1, 119–126.

  • Ullah, H., Khan, I., & Ullah, I. (2012). Impact of sewage contaminated water on soil, vegetables, and underground water of peri-urban Peshawar, Pakistan. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184, 6411–6421. doi:10.1007/s10661-011-2429-4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley, A., & Black, C. A. (1934). An examination of Degtjareff method of determining soil organic matter and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37, 29–38.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (1997). Guideline for drinking water quality, Health criteria and other supporting information (2nd ed., Vol. 1). Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakir, S. N., Ihsanullah, I., Shah, M. T., & Iqbal, Z. (2009). Determination of major and trace elements in soil of Peshawar Basin. Journal Chemical Society Pakistan, 31, 246–256.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Laboratory facilities provided by Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar, are gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Chemical Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

    Hidayat Ullah

  2. Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

    Ikhtiar Khan

Authors
  1. Hidayat Ullah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ikhtiar Khan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hidayat Ullah.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ullah, H., Khan, I. Effects of sewage water irrigation of cabbage to soil geochemical properties and products safety in peri-urban Peshawar, Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess 187, 126 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4344-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4344-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation