Heavy metal accumulation in crops grown in an industrial region irrigated with wastewater

Release of industrial wastewater containing heavy metals and other toxic substances by the industries is a common practice. In drought prone areas, the wastewater is being used for irrigation by the farmers. Three different crops (Pisum sativum, Brassica campestris and Oryza sativa) were irrigated with industrial wastewater of a nitrogenous fertilizer factory at Phoolpur industrial area, Allahabad (India). The concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cu, Mn, Co, Fe, Mg and total Cr) in wastewater and soil samples were analysized. It was found that the concentrations of these heavy metals were higher in soil irrigated with industrial wastewater than the wastewater. Heavy metal accumulation patterns indicate that B. campestris, accumulates maximum amount of Cd and Mn, O. sativa accumulates Ni, Pb and Co and P. sativum accumulates Cu.