Distribution and Health Risks of Nitrate and Heavy Metals in Edible Leafy Vegetables Grown in Sewage Sludge and Wastewater-Amended Agricultural Soils

N.R. Ekere; T.I. Oparanozie; J.N. Ihedioha; V.E. Agbazue

doi:10.14233/ajchem.2016.19117

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2016): Vol 28 Issue 1

Issue Published : October 5, 2015

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Distribution and Health Risks of Nitrate and Heavy Metals in Edible Leafy Vegetables Grown in Sewage Sludge and Wastewater-Amended Agricultural Soils

https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2016.19117

N.R. Ekere

Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

T.I. Oparanozie

Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

J.N. Ihedioha

Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

V.E. Agbazue

Department of Pure & Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Corresponding Author(s) : N.R. Ekere

nwachukwuekere64@gmail.com

Asian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 28 No. 1 (2016): Vol 28 Issue 1
Article Published : October 5, 2015

Abstract

The distribution of nitrate and some heavy metal ions (Ni, Cd, Pb and Cr) were determined in some edible leafy vegetable samples (Vernonia amygdalina, Telfaria occidentalis, Ocimum gratissimum and Amaranthus viridis) grown in sewage sludge and wastewater treated agricultural soils. Nitrate was determined by UV spectrophotometric method while heavy metal ions concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The nitrate concentration in the samples ranged from 938.76 to 2485.67 μg/g with none exceeding the acceptable limits while heavy metal ions concentration ranged from 0.021 to 21.89 μg/g for Ni, 0.017 μg/g for Cd, 2.59 to 6.4 μg/g for Pb and 0.32 to 3.85 μg/g for Cr. Most of the results for the heavy metals exceeded the recommended levels as given by FAO/WHO. The health risk assessment of human consumption of the vegetables with reference to these heavy metals content showed that only lead pose health risk in Vernonia amygdalina. Consumption of other vegetables at the present daily intake rate pose no health risk when hazard quotient based health risk assessment is applied.

Keywords

Heavy metals Nitrate Vernonia amygdalina Health risk Hazard quotient Sewage Wastewater Vegetable

Ekere, N., Oparanozie, T., Ihedioha, J., & Agbazue, V. (2015). Distribution and Health Risks of Nitrate and Heavy Metals in Edible Leafy Vegetables Grown in Sewage Sludge and Wastewater-Amended Agricultural Soils. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 28(1), 6–10. https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2016.19117

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References

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P. Santamaria, J. Sci. Food Agric., 86, 10 (2006); doi:10.1002/jsfa.2351.
N.R. Ekere, T.I. Oparanozie, F.I. Ogbuefi-Chima, J.N. Ihedioha and J.I. Ayogu, J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 6, 561 (2014).
M.A.N. Anikwe and K.C.A. Nwobodo, Bioresour. Technol., 83, 241 (2002); doi:10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00154-7.
C.M. Ademoroti, A Standard Method for Water and Effluents Analysis, Foludex Press Ltd., Ibadan, pp. 22-23, 44-54, 111-112 (1996).
A. Singh, R.K. Sharma, M. Agrawal and F.M. Marshall, Food Chem. Toxicol., 48, 611 (2010); doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.11.041.
A.N. Kobaissi, A.A. Kanso and H.J. Kanbar, Rev. Int. Contam. Ambiet., 30, 297 (2014).
M.L. Huang, S.L. Zhou, B. Sun and Q.G. Zhao, Sci. Total Environ., 405, 54 (2008); doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.07.004.
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References

T.T. Mensinga, G.J. Speijers and J. Meulenbelt, Toxicol. Rev., 22, 41 (2003); doi:10.2165/00139709-200322010-00005.

J.O. Lundberg, E. Weitzberg and M.T. Gladwin, Nat. Rev. Drug Discov., 7, 156 (2008); doi:10.1038/nrd2466.

J.A. Camargo and A. Alonso, Environ. Int., 32, 831 (2006); doi:10.1016/j.envint.2006.05.002.

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain on a Request from the European Commission to Perform a Scientific Risk Assessment on Nitrate in Vegetables, The EFSA J., 689, 1 (2008).

A. Tsezou, S. Kitsiou-Tzeli, A. Calla, D. Gourgiotis, J. Papageorgiou, S. Mitrou, P.A. Molybdas and C. Sinaniotis, Arch. Environ. Health, 51, 458 (1996); doi:10.1080/00039896.1996.9936046.

J. Sanchez-Echaniz, J. Benito-Fernandez and S. Mintegui-Raso, Pediatrics, 107, 1024 (2001); doi:10.1542/peds.107.5.1024.

L.B. Dusdieker, J.P. Getchell, T.M. Liarakos, W.J. Hausler and C.I. Dungy, Arch. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med., 148, 490 (1994); doi:10.1001/archpedi.1994.02170050048009.

U.S Environmental Protection Agency, Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS): Nitrate (1991); http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0076.htm accessed on 16th January 2015.

R.C. Parslow, P.A. McKinney, G.R. Law, A. Staines, R. Williams and H.J. Bodansky, Diabetologia, 40, 550 (1997); doi:10.1007/s001250050714.

C.J. Johnson and B.C. Kross, Am. J. Ind. Med., 18, 449 (1990); doi:10.1002/ajim.4700180416.

B.C. Kross, M.L. Olson, A. Ayebo and J.K. Johnson, in ed.: E. Rechcigl, Nitrite and Nitrate Toxicity: In Soil Amendment, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 190-214 (1995).

M.A. Oliver, Eur. J. Soil Sci., 48, 573 (1997); doi:10.1046/j.1365-2389.1997.00124.x.

F. Guerra, A.R. Trevizarri, T. Muraoka, N.C. Marcante and S.G. Canniatti-Brazaca, Sci. Agric., 69, 54 (2012); doi:10.1590/S0103-90162012000100008.

R. Lacatusu, C. Rauta, S. Carstea and I. Ghalase, Appl. Geochem., 11, 105 (1996); doi:10.1016/0883-2927(95)00101-8.

M.G. Volpe, F. La Cara, F. Volpe, A. De Mattia, V. Serino, F. Petitto, C. Zavalloni, F. Limone, R. Pellecchia, P.P. De Prisco and M. Di Stasio, Food Chem., 117, 553 (2009); doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.04.033.

Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Toxicological Profile for Lead, U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services, Public Health Humans Services, Centers for Diseases Control, Atlanta (2007).

M.I. Castro-González and M. Méndez-Armenta, Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol., 26, 263 (2008); doi:10.1016/j.etap.2008.06.001.

Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Draft Toxicological Profile for Cadmium, U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services, Public Health Humans Services, Centers for Diseases Control. Atlanta (2008).

P. Apostoli and S. Catalani, Metal Ions Life Sci., 8, 263 (2011).

Y.N. Jolly, A. Islam and S. Akbar, Springer Plus, 2, 385 (2013); doi:10.1186/2193-1801-2-385.

M. Jakubus and J. Czekala, Pol. J. Environ. Stud., 10, 245 (2001).

H. Kroiss, Wastewater Sludge Management–The Challenges. What are the Potentials of Utilizing the Resources in Sludge, In: Biosolids-Wastewater Sludge as a Resource, Trondheim, Norway, pp. 77-85 (2003).

M.R. Lasheen, A. Ashmaway and H. Ibrahim, in ed.: J. Nriagu, Heavy Metal Removal from Municipal and Industrial Sludges. In: 11th Annual International Conference on Heavy Metals in the Environment, Contribution 1431, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI (CD-ROM) (2000).

M.F. Barriquelo, M.A. Juliatti, M.S. Silva and E. Lenzi, Brazil. Arch. Biol. Technol. J., 46, 499 (2003); doi:10.1590/S1516-89132003000400002.

U.I. Gaya and S. Alimi, J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage., 10, 79 (2006).

ISO Water Quality-Determination of Nitrate-Part 1: 2,6-Dimethylphenol Spectrometric Method; Part 2: 4-Fluorophenol Spectrometric Method after Distillation, International Organization for Standardization (ISO 7890-1,2:1986 (E), Geneva (1986).

C.O. Okoye, Undergraduate Analytical Chemistry, John Publishers, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria, pp. 98-103 (2005).

USEPA, Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund. Human Health Evaluation Manual Part A, Interim Final, vol. I. Washington (DC), United States Environmental Protection Agency; EPA/540/1-89/002 (1989).

S. Khan, R. Farooq, S. Shahbaz, M.A. Khan and M. Sadique, World Appl. Sci. J., 6, 1602 (2009).

X.L. Wang, T. Sato, B.S. Xing and S. Tao, Sci. Total Environ., 350, 28 (2005); doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.09.044.

USEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency), Exposure Factors Handbook – General Factors. EPA/600/P-95/002Fa, vol. I. Office of Research and Development, National Center for Environmental Assessment, US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (2010).

USEPA, Risk-based Concentration Table, United State Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (2010).

WHO/FAO Guidelines for the Safe Use of Wastewater and Food Stuff; Wastewater Use in Agriculture, World Health Organization, Geneva, Volume 2: No.1, pp. 988 (2013).

USEPA, Reference Dose: Description and Use in Health Risk Assessments, Background Document 1A, Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS); United States Environmental Protection Agency: Washington, DC, 15 March (2013); http://www epa.gov/iris/rfd.htm.

World Health Organization (WHO), Evaluation of Certain Food Additives and Contaminants. In: Forty-First Report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, Geneva, Switzerland, WHO Technical Series, p. 837 (1993).

P. Santamaria, J. Sci. Food Agric., 86, 10 (2006); doi:10.1002/jsfa.2351.

N.R. Ekere, T.I. Oparanozie, F.I. Ogbuefi-Chima, J.N. Ihedioha and J.I. Ayogu, J. Chem. Pharm. Res., 6, 561 (2014).

M.A.N. Anikwe and K.C.A. Nwobodo, Bioresour. Technol., 83, 241 (2002); doi:10.1016/S0960-8524(01)00154-7.

C.M. Ademoroti, A Standard Method for Water and Effluents Analysis, Foludex Press Ltd., Ibadan, pp. 22-23, 44-54, 111-112 (1996).

A. Singh, R.K. Sharma, M. Agrawal and F.M. Marshall, Food Chem. Toxicol., 48, 611 (2010); doi:10.1016/j.fct.2009.11.041.

A.N. Kobaissi, A.A. Kanso and H.J. Kanbar, Rev. Int. Contam. Ambiet., 30, 297 (2014).

M.L. Huang, S.L. Zhou, B. Sun and Q.G. Zhao, Sci. Total Environ., 405, 54 (2008); doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.07.004.

N.S. Chary, C.T. Kamala and D.S.S. Raj, Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 69, 513 (2008); doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.04.013.

Issue

Vol. 28 No. 1 (2016): Vol 28 Issue 1

Distribution and Health Risks of Nitrate and Heavy Metals in Edible Leafy Vegetables Grown in Sewage Sludge and Wastewater-Amended Agricultural Soils

Corresponding Author(s) : N.R. Ekere

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