Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari, 61100, Pakistan.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Nov;27(32):39841-39851. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-09917-4. Epub 2020 Jul 8.
The use of sewage water as an irrigation source can be beneficial in agricultural practices, however, it may result in human health risks due to the consumption of heavy metal(loid)-contaminated food. This study evaluated the suitability of using sewage water (SW), freshwater (FW), and groundwater (GW) for vegetable irrigation in District Vehari. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) plants were grown in pots irrigated with FW, GW, and SW in different proportions and combinations. The results indicated the substantial lesser buildup of heavy metal(loid)s (As (- 0.8%), Cd (- 38%), Cr (- 6.2%), Cu (- 20%), Fe (- 9.2%), Mn (- 13%), Ni (- 16%), Pb (- 19%), and Zn (-15%)) in soil after S. oleracea cultivation compared to unirrigated soil possibly due to high metal(loid) uptake by S. oleracea. Irrigation with all types of waters resulted in metal(loid) accumulation in S. oleracea predominantly in roots. The combinations of FW, GW, and SW resulted in high metal(loid) accumulation (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the edible S. oleracea leaves than their alone application. Owing to high metal(loid) buildup, plants showed a linear trend in physiological imbalance in terms of reduced pigment content, induction of peroxidation, and oxidation of lipids. The severe oxidative stress was observed in S. oleracea plants under FW and GW irrigation due to high metal(loid) accumulation. The risk indices showed possible carcinogenic risk (CR > 0.0001) and non-carcinogenic risk (HI > 1) from the consumption of metal(loid)-contaminated S. oleracea leaves. Results revealed unsuitability of all waters and their combinations for S. oleracea irrigation. Moreover, this study does not encourage the use of mixed water for vegetable irrigation in Vehari District. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to monitor the quality of irrigation waters to ensure food safety and prevent chronic health risks to the exposed population.
污水作为灌溉水源在农业实践中可能是有益的，但由于食用受重金属（类）污染的食物，可能会对人类健康造成风险。本研究评估了在Vehari 地区使用污水（SW）、淡水（FW）和地下水（GW）进行蔬菜灌溉的适宜性。将菠菜（Spinacia oleracea）种植在盆栽中，分别用 FW、GW 和 SW 以不同比例和组合进行灌溉。结果表明，与未灌溉土壤相比，SW 灌溉的土壤中重金属（类）（As（-0.8%）、Cd（-38%）、Cr（-6.2%）、Cu（-20%）、Fe（-9.2%）、Mn（-13%）、Ni（-16%）、Pb（-19%）和 Zn（-15%）的积累量明显减少，这可能是由于 S. oleracea 对重金属（类）的高吸收。所有类型的水灌溉都会导致 S. oleracea 中重金属（类）的积累，主要在根部。FW、GW 和 SW 的组合导致可食用的 S. oleracea 叶片中重金属（类）（As、Cd、Cr、Cu、Fe、Mn、Ni、Pb 和 Zn）的积累量高于其单独应用。由于重金属（类）的积累，植物表现出生理失衡的线性趋势，表现在色素含量降低、过氧化物诱导和脂质氧化。由于重金属（类）的积累，FW 和 GW 灌溉下的 S. oleracea 植物中观察到严重的氧化应激。由于食用受重金属（类）污染的 S. oleracea 叶片，风险指数显示出可能的致癌风险（CR>0.0001）和非致癌风险（HI>1）。研究结果表明，所有水及其组合均不适合用于 S. oleracea 灌溉。此外，本研究不鼓励在 Vehari 地区使用混合水进行蔬菜灌溉。因此，监测灌溉水的质量对于确保食品安全和防止暴露人群的慢性健康风险至关重要。
