HEAVY METALS ANALYSIS IN WHEAT GRAINS FROM AGRICULTURAL SITES OF LUDHIANA by Navjot Kaur
Abstract
Today heavy metal contamination is the main issue in the environmental pollution. Agricultural lands which have been contaminated with heavy metals are serious issue. Increasing industrialization and urbanization enhance the farmers to use such polluted land for food crop’s production. The present study was conducted to assess the heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Cu) contamination in wheat grains from agricultural land near industrial (Industrial area C, Budhewal, Focal point) and non- industrial (Dehlon, Kaind, Ranguwal) areas in Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Irrigation water, air and soil are considered to be the main routes to transfer the heavy metals in grains so these were also examined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).Concentration of Pb and Cr in wheat grains was higher in both sites. Concentration of Pb and Cr in industrial sites was averagely exceeds the permissible limit by 39 times and 4 times and in non-industrial sites concentration of Pb and Cr was averagely exceeds the permissible limit by 38 times and 5 times respectively. Heavy metals (Pb and Cr) have been accumulated many times in wheat grains. Heavy metals in soil, irrigation water and air were well within the limits in all areas but in industrial areas concentration of metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) in irrigation water were slightly higher than the permissible limit set by WHO/FAO because industrial effluent affect the water quality. Hence, after considering the results this was concluded that soil, air and water not being responsible for such a heavy accumulation of metals in wheat grains.Hence excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides and over- year bioaccumulation in wheat tends to increase the concentration of metals in wheat grains as depicted by the survey in these areas. Daily intake of chromium was much higher than the permissible limit in all areas. In industrial and non –industrial sites averagely daily intake concentration of chromium exceeds the permissible limit by 6.5 times and 8 times respectively. From the results it was concluded that people are prone to face health problems through the consumption of wheat.
