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Many studies have described the physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses to heavy metal toxicity and deficiencies individually in plants. The present study assess nickel (Ni) concentration in amended soil, plant vegetative parts, and wheat grains, grown under diverse types of fertilizers in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. Different varieties of wheat were grown in pot and fields. Different treatments (municipal solid waste, poultry waste, press mud, farm yard manure) of fertilizers were applied in order to study the metal level increased in different parts (root, shoot, grain) of wheat due to fertilization. Results indicated that metal level was found highest in roots followed by shoot and grain. The highest level of nickel in root was present in V1 (2.35 mg/kg) due to T2 (2.60 mg/kg) treatment. Higher nickel levels in wheat shoot and grains were observed in V5 (2.36 mg/kg) and V8 (2.29 mg/kg), respectively, due to applied treatment T2 (2.57 mg/kg). This study concluded that treatment T9 was proven safe in view of the observed Ni concentration, while treatment T2 (municipal solid waste) resulted in higher accumulation of nickel in wheat grains which showed that municipal solid waste should be treated before their application in agriculture fields to secure the public health. This study recommended that although application of fertilizers increased the plant growth and nutritional value, it also enhanced metal accumulation in the wheat grains which could be harmful for consumers especially human being. Government should take actions to prevent metal toxicity in human food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The instant endeavor was undertaken for determination of lead (Pb) in water, soil, forage, and cow's blood domesticated in contaminated area of heavy automobiles' exhaust in Sahiwal town of District Sargodha, Pakistan. Water samples showed that the concentration of Pb ranged from 1.14 to 0.44 mg kg−1 at all sites. It was maximum at site 5 and minimum at site 2. Soil samples showed the concentration of Pb at all sites ranged from 1.58 to 0.279 mg kg−1. It was maximum in soil where Avena sativa was grown at site 5 and was found minimum in soil where Zea mays was grown at site 2. While among samples of forage, the concentration of Pb ranges from 0.048 to 2.002 mg kg−1. The highest Pb amount was found in Brassica campestris at site 1 and the minimum was recorded in Trifolium alexandrinum at site 2. Finally, the blood samples of cow depicted that concentration of Pb ranged from 4.468 to 0.217 mg kg−1. It was the maximum at site 1 and the minimum at site 3. It is recommended that such study should be conducted in other districts for public awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals pollution is a major concern on a global scale. The present work evaluated the cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) concentrations in water, soil, forages (Avena sativa, Brassica campestris, Medicago sativa, Pennisetum glaucum and Trifolium alexandrinum), milk and hair samples of cows. The samples taken according to trophic levels of the food chain were collected from selected arid regions of Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan and analyzed by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The concentrations of Cd and Cu were found in the range of 0.041-0.065 mg/L, 0.585-1.341 mg/L in water; 0.223-2.600 mg/kg, 11.550-15.853 mg/kg in soil; 0.0037-0.682 mg/kg, 3.0917-8.208 mg/kg in fodder; 0.0457-0.137 mg/kg, 0.0167-0.690 mg/L in milk and 0.043-0.112 mg/kg, 0.0427-0.497 mg/kg in hair, respectively. The Cd and Cu concentrations in water, soil, forage, milk and hair were safer compared to standard limits. Bioconcentration factor (BCF), Enrichment factor (EF), Daily Intake of Metal (DIM), and Health Risk Index (HRI) were found less than 1 in Cd and Cu whereas PLI<1 in Cd and PLI>1 in Cu that indicates copper pollution in soil. So, regular monitoring of heavy metals was required to appraise contamination levels in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries, where wastewater irrigation has become a common practice, the accumulation of heavy metals by crops has been regarded as a severe environmental hazard. The evaluation of the toxic element lead (Pb) in water, agricultural soils and food crops, and their potential damage to human health, is the focus of the present study. Samples of eleven food crops, soil, with three treatments, waste, canal, and tube well waters, were collected from three feeding sites, Sargodha city, Sahiwal, Shahpur, and evaluated for Pb concentration. The results indicates that the range of Pb in the water, soil and crop samples were from 0.023 to 0.039 mg/L, 2.932–13.687 mg/kg and 1.241–4.825 mg/kg, respectively. The metal concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in wastewater treated soil and crop samples that exceed the permissible limit of the World Health Organization (WHO). There is a positive correlation between the Pb concentration in the soil and crop samples. The pollution load index and enrichment factor are greater than 1, indicating a high level of soil contamination and the influence of natural and anthropogenic sources of Pb metal accumulation in soils. The bioconcentration factor (BCF), daily intake of metal (DIM), health risk index (HRI) and metal values are less than 1, indicating that toxic Pb are present in lower quantities in food crops and had no health risks to consumers. In wastewater treated soils, there is a significant accumulation of Pb toxicity. Therefore, it is vitally important to address Pb contamination and its potential entrance route into the human food chain. • This study collected 27 water and 99 soil and food crop samples from 3 sites in Sargodha. • The relationships of lead (Pb) contents in irrigated water soil and crops were explored. • The pollution load index and enrichment factor were greater than 1, indicating a high level of soil contamination. • Pb toxicity accumulated in wastewater treated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]