Abstract:
This study was conducted to determine the heavy metals concentrations in canal water (Gogera Branch Canal) and their effect on agricultural soils and wheat crop at the area of Chak-65 GB in Punjab, Pakistan. The samples of water, soil, plant and grain were collected from the study area and digest according to standard processes and SOPs and analyzed by using atomic absorption spectroscopy. All samples were analyzed for the subjected heavy metals and their concentration are noted and they were as follow; The Cadmium is ranged from 0.01 to 1.9 mg/L in water samples, 0.08 to 3.08 mg/Kg in soil samples, 0.16 to 0.21 mg/Kg in plant samples and 0.57 to 0.87 mg/Kg in grain samples. The concentration of Chromium is ranged from 0.03 to 1.9 mg/L in water, 55.7 to 68.3 mg/Kg in soil, 0.9 to 1.3 mg/Kg in plant and 1.06 to 3.01 mg/Kg in grain samples. The concentration of nickel varies from 0.02 to 1.36 mg/L in water, 32.5 to 40.9 mg/Kg in soil, 7.2 to 11.2 mg/Kg in plant and 1.07 to 3.18 mg/Kg in grain samples. The last subjected metal was copper, and its concentration ranged from 0.055 to 1.63 mg/L, 29.8 to 34.5 mg/Kg in soil, 6.5 to 10.4 mg/Kg in plant and 1.01 to 2 mg/Kg in grain samples. The concentrations of subjected heavy metals were noted and compared with the NEQSs standard for irrigation water for water samples, and samples of soil, plant and grains are compared with WHO ad FAO limits. These results show that heavy metals are accumulated in soil and then up take by the wheat plant. These heavy metals are accumulating in the wheat grains, wheat is most consumed crop in Pakistan. These concentrations of heavy metals in wheat grains when consumed give rise to many health risks to human health. These heavy metals cause serious diseases like skin cancer, kidney cancer and lung cancer and dermatological issues. The most reported health issues are serious and life risking. this is concluded that water and soil of study area is contaminated with heavy metals that cause the accumulation of these heavy metals in wheat grains.
