CONTAMINATION AND ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN BRINJAL (SOLANUM MELONGENA L.) GROWN IN A LONG-TERM WASTEWATER-IRRIGATED AGRICULTURAL LAND OF SARGODHA, PAKISTAN

In this study, we investigated metal and metalloid (Pb, Mn, Ni, Co, Cu, Cd, Zn, Se, Mo, Fe, As and Cr) concentrations in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) as well as at two different cultivated sites in the vicinity of Sargodha. At both study sites (I and II), mean concentrations of As and Cd in soil and Mn, Ni, Cu (23.9, 28.9), Zn (61.2, 74.7), Mo (16.1, 18.3), and Cd (0.82, 1.11) in S. melongena were above the permissible limits as given by USEPA and WHO, respectively. The results revealed significant correlations between soil and vegetables for metals viz. Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd and Pb. The trend of bioconcentration factor (BCF) at both sites was: 0.05-295.6 with higher BCF was observed for Cr (229.4, 295.6). High pollution load index at site-II indicated that this vegetable may cause toxic effects in humans due to high metal accumulation in the consumable parts of the vegetable. It is concluded that more effective controls should be taken to reduce pollution in this study area.