Comprehensive Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Greenhouse Vegetables and Topsoils

Abstract:

A survey and comprehensive assessment were conducted to investigate Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in 67 greenhouse leafy vegetables and the corresponding topsoil from the typical greenhouse vegetable cultivation area in southeastern China. The Cd concentrations in all soils exceeded the Chinese standard GB15618-1995, Cu, Ni, and Zn concentrations were slightly elevated, while the soils were not polluted by Pb. The single-factor pollution index showed that Cd in the soils reached “moderate pollution” levels and other metals were present at safe levels. The Nemerow integrated pollution index was more appropriate than the single-factor pollution index for assessing heavy metal pollution in the soils, and the results showed that Cd was the main pollutant in the studied region, especially in Chun’an, Fuyang, Lin’an, and Tonglu districts. All of the greenhouse vegetables analyzed were heavily polluted by Cd and Pb, moderately polluted by Ni and Zn, but not polluted by Cu. The Cd, Pb, and Ni concentrations in the vegetables exceeded standard GB2762-2005. The bioconcentration factors for the vegetables analyzed decreased in the order Cd>Zn>Cu>Pb>Ni. Lettuce (Spinacia oleracea) accumulated Cd more strongly than the other leafy vegetables analyzed, and tarragon (C. coronarium) accumulated Cu and Zn most strongly.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 955-959)
• Pages: 1045-1052
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.955-959.1045
• Online since: June 2014
• Authors: Yan Yan Zeng, Jia Li Shentu*, Chen Chao Shen, Dong Sheng Shen
• Keywords: Accumulation Capacity, Greenhouse Vegetable, Pollution Index, Soils

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