Assessment of heavy metal accumulations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in vegetables and soils

This study measured levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead, and zinc in fruits of Capsicum annuum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., and Solanum melongena L. during the 2007 vegetation period, to determine levels of metal pollution in Istanbul Province. Plant and soil samples were collected from six sites in Istanbul (Brook Coast area, inner city, industrial area, suburban, roadside, and rural – control – areas). Unwashed and washed leaf and soil samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The highest and lowest values were as follows: Cd (0.28-0.89 µg·g⁻¹), Cr (5.33⁻¹4.04 µg·g⁻¹), Cu (1.47-5.19 µg·g⁻¹), Ni (3.06⁻¹3.65 µg·g⁻¹), Pb (29.28-86.20 µg·g⁻¹), and Zn (3.70-5.74 µg·g⁻¹). The unwashed samples were more contaminated than the washed samples. Contamination was higher in the vegetables grown in industrial areas and along roadsides. The overall metal concentration pattern in vegetables was Pb > Cr > Ni > Zn > Cu > Cd.