Studies on Lead (Pb) in Some Soils of Qualubeya Governorate

Abstract

A survey study was conducted to investigate contamination with lead (Pb) due to irrigation with waste water for several years in Al-Gabal Al-Asfar, Qualubeya governorate, Egypt. Five locations were sampled. Lettuce and cabbage plants were also sampled. The investigated soils were contaminated with Pb at high levels but not exceeding the permissible limits. Total and DTPA-extractable Pb decreased in soil with depth of sampling. Lead in cabbage and lettuce were greater in roots than shoots. Concentrations of lead in the edible parts of cabbage and lettuce exceeded the maximum level of lead in leafy vegetables which is 0.1 mgkg-1. Values of calculated bioaccumulation factor (BAF), biological concentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) show that cabbage and lettuce are excluders as well as none-phytoextractors for lead but they accumulate most of lead in roots than in shoots. Values of health risk assessment were extremely low. Eventually; consuming such contaminated plants with lead may affect severely human health particularly on the long term.