Watermelon Heavy Metal Contamination

Not all wastewater can be used to grow food.

http://www.aip.org/

M. J. Khanjani aqsa A. A. Maghsoudi moud aqs, b V. R. Saffari aqs, b S. M. Hashamipor aqs, c and M. Soltanizadeh aqscaProfessor

bAssistant Professor of Bahonar University of Kerman

cKerman Water and Wastewater Co

Concentration of heavy metals in vegetables irrigated by urban wastewater is a cause of serious concern due to the potentials health problems of consuming contaminated produce. In this study it is tried to model the concentration of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe,…) as a function of their concentration in watermelon roots and stems. Our study shows there is a good relationship between them for most of collected data. By measuring the concentration in root and stem of watermelon plant samples before harvesting, the concentration of heavy metal in watermelon's fruit can be estimated by presented mathematical models. This study shows the concentrations of heavy metals in fruits, roots and stems of watermelon plants are very high and in dangerous level when irrigated by municipal waste water. ©2008