Assessing Heavy Metal Contamination in Selected Farm Vegetables and Soils
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v10i2.845Keywords:
Bioaccumulation. heavy metals. soils. toxicity. vegetablesAbstract
Purpose: The research sought to evaluate the heavy metal concentrations in frequently eaten vegetables within the Sunyani Municipality.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Carrots, cabbage, lettuce, and garden eggs sourced from various farms have been analysed about the soils in which they are cultivated, utilising the absorption atomic spectrometer (AAS) technology.
Findings: The amounts of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in cultivation soil and vegetal samples significantly exceeded permitted limits established by WHO/FAO. The accumulation levels of metals recorded in the current study for the soil samples are ranked in descending order as follows: Fe>Mn>Cu>Zn>Pb>As>Cd>Ni. A similar pattern is noted in the diminishing concentrations of metals recorded for the vegetable samples.
Research Limitation: The study is limited to selected farms within the Sunyani township, and findings may not reflect the full extent of contamination across other regions in Ghana. Expanding to different climatic or agricultural regions would improve generalisability.
Practical Implication: The study may help public health authorities establish regular testing of market produce, ensuring compliance with WHO/FAO permissible limits for heavy metals.
Social Implication: The research raises awareness of the long-term consequences of consuming contaminated food, promoting advocacy for food safety and environmental stewardship at the community level.
Originality/ Value: The study’s inclusion of soil and vegetable analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of contamination pathways.
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