The Effects of Irrigation with Diverse Wastewater Sources on Heavy Metal Accumulation in Kinnow and Grapefruit Samples and Health Risks from Consumption

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the concentrations of Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni in the edible parts of grapefruit and kinnow fruit irrigated with sewage water, tube-well water, and canal water. Preparation of the samples used in the study for metal analysis was carried out by the wet acid digestion method. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used for metal determination. All of the studied metals were more abundant in water, soil, and fruit samples from sites irrigated with sewage water than from those irrigated with tube-well and canal water. The concentrations of Pb were established in the range of 0.047 to 0.175 mg/L in water, 12.652 to 47.863 mg/kg in soil, and 0.023 to 0.124 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Cr varied from 0.107 to 0.741 mg/L in water, from 1.121 to 5.835 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.054 to 0.784 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Cd varied from 0.004 to 0.028 mg/L in water, from 1.258 to 4.246 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.012 to 0.131 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The range of Ni varied from 0.384 to 1.815 mg/L in water, from 5.367 to 18.658 mg/kg in soil, and from 0.028 to 1.475 mg/kg in fruit samples of both varieties. The pollution load index indicated that Pb exceeded a value of 1, while Cd and Ni exceeded 1 only in sewage-water-irrigated sites. The bioconcentration factor, enrichment factor, daily intake of metal, and health risk index values for all metals were below 1, within permissible limits, indicating no immediate health risks associated with consuming these fruits.