Contamination of staple crops by heavy metals in Sibaté, Colombia
María F. Lizarazo,
César D. Herrera,
Crispín A. Celis,
Luis M. Pombo,
Aníbal A. Teherán,
Luis G. Piñeros,
Sandra P. Forero,
Javier R. Velandia,
Fabio E. Díaz,
William A. Andrade,
Oscar E. Rodríguez
Affiliations
María F. Lizarazo
Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, El Bosque University, CHOC-IZONE Research Group. Av., Carrera 9 N° 131 A – 02, Bogotá, Colombia
César D. Herrera
Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, El Bosque University, CHOC-IZONE Research Group. Av., Carrera 9 N° 131 A – 02, Bogotá, Colombia
Crispín A. Celis
Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, Javeriana - University, GIFUJ Research Group, Carrera 7 N° 40 – 62, Bogotá, Colombia
Luis M. Pombo
Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, GIFVTA and COMPLEXUS Research Groups, Carrera 111 N° 159 A 61, Bogotá, Colombia; Corresponding author.
Aníbal A. Teherán
Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, GIFVTA and COMPLEXUS Research Groups, Carrera 111 N° 159 A 61, Bogotá, Colombia
Luis G. Piñeros
Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, GIFVTA and COMPLEXUS Research Groups, Carrera 111 N° 159 A 61, Bogotá, Colombia
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Santo Tomas University, GIFIC Research Group, Carrera 9 N° 51-11, Bogotá, Colombia
William A. Andrade
Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, El Bosque University, CHOC-IZONE Research Group. Av., Carrera 9 N° 131 A – 02, Bogotá, Colombia
Oscar E. Rodríguez
Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, El Bosque University, CHOC-IZONE Research Group. Av., Carrera 9 N° 131 A – 02, Bogotá, Colombia; Fundación Universitaria Juan N. Corpas, GIFVTA and COMPLEXUS Research Groups, Carrera 111 N° 159 A 61, Bogotá, Colombia; Corresponding author.
Heavy metal contamination in water resources, soil, and food sources is an issue that compromises food safety in Sibaté, Colombia. In the present study concentration of heavy metals [HMs], such as Cu, As, Pb, Cr, Zn, Co, Cd and Ni, present in vegetables included in the typical Colombian diet were measured. The study was conducted as follows: samples of parsley, artichoke and carrots produced in a location near the Muña dam were collected, where the Bogotá River water is treated for use as a water resource. To determine food safety, national and international [HMs] established limits were compared with quantified [HMs] in samples of different vegetable parts and of the surrounding soil. Fresh samples were separated in their respective parts for cold acid digestion with HCl and HNO3 (1:1) for 15 days. Heavy metal mean ± standard error (SE) were as follows (mg/kg) As 2.36 ± 0.185, Cd 0.16 ± 0.009, Co 0.43 ± 0.019, Cr 12.1 ± 0.453, Cu 13.1 ± 1.68, Ni 0.00, Pb 7.07 ± 0.482 and Zn 3.976 ± 0.332. Cd, Cr, As, Co and Ni showed high transfer factor in Cynara scolymus. Moreover, high Pb, Cu and Zn transfer factor were present in Petroselinum crispum. Except for Daucus carota roots, there was a high metal transfer specifically in Petroselinum crispum leaves and other different plant parts, with high transfer factor for Cr, As, Co, Pb, Cu and Zn.
