Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) provide a significant role in ensuring urban food security, income generation and livelihood strategies and supports Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Quantitative data about the phytoavailability and food chain transfer of heavy metals in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is scarce.
This study was conducted to characterize the elemental and heavy metal transfer among major UPA production systems (farms and railway gardens), in MMR eliciting the soil to root translocation as well as its localization in produce. It comprises a detailed two year onsite examination of three farms (F1-3) and three railway gardens (RG1-3) across MMR. Potential risk assessments were conducted by metal transfer factor (MTF), metal translocation (TF), daily intake of metals (DIM), health risk index (HRI), average daily dose (ADD) and target hazard quotient (THQ) as well as total metal and element content in comparison with different safety standards.
Copper concentration in soils ranged from 29.7 - 545.1 mg kg-1, with highest and lowest concentrations observed at RG3 and RG2 respectively. The shoots of white radish accumulated Sr concentrations up to 424.1 mg kg-1 at RG2. Strontium had a TF up to 32.25 in comparison with Co, Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr with a maximum of 5.93, 5.32, 3.41, 1.71 and 1.47 respectively. Average daily dose of Zn was between 1.3 × 10-1 and 3.6 × 10-1 mg kg-1 d-1 while Ni had a daily dose of between 4.6 × 10-2 and 7.4 × 10-2 mg kg-1 d-1. The estimated values of ADD were below the world standard levels except for Zn and Ni, there is a relative absence of health risk imposed by the ingestion of these vegetables produced in UPA systems in MMR.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1 Study area
2.2 Site description, produce sampling and analysis
2.3 Data analyses
2.3.1 Metal transfer factor (MTF)
2.3.2 Metal translocation (TF)
2.3.3 Daily intake of metals (DIM)
2.3.4 Health risk index (HRI)
2.3.5 Average daily dose (ADD)
2.3.6 Target hazard quotient (THQ)
2.4 Statistical analysis
3. Results
3.1 Soil element and heavy metal concentration
3.2 Produce element and heavy metal concentration
3.3 Heavy metal transfer and translocation
3.4 Heavy metal exposure and hazard index
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Objectives and Topics
This study aims to characterize elemental and heavy metal transfer across major urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) systems in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). By examining farms and railway gardens, the research investigates the pathways of soil-to-root translocation and the subsequent accumulation of heavy metals in edible produce to assess potential human health risks associated with local vegetable consumption.
- Assessment of soil and plant contamination levels for heavy metals and trace elements.
- Comparative analysis of different UPA production systems (farms vs. railway gardens).
- Quantification of heavy metal transfer factors and translocation efficiencies in specific crops.
- Estimation of human health risks through daily intake, health risk indices, and target hazard quotients.
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2.3 Data analyses
2.3.1 Metal transfer factor (MTF)
The ability of a plant to accumulate metal as a function of its concentration is referred as metal transfer factor (MTF) also known as bio-accumulation factor (Cui et al., 2004; Ghosh and Singh, 2005; Abdu et al., 2011b).
MTF = Cplant / Csoil [1]
where Cplant and Csoil are the metal concentrations in edible portion of the vegetables and in soil. The transfer factor for the plant available heavy metals was calculated as a ratio above mentioned with the respective ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) extractable concentration in soil.
2.3.2 Metal translocation (TF)
Translocation of metals from root to shoot or shoot to root can be expressed as translocation factor (TF), calculated from below equation:
TF = Cshoot / Croot [2]
where Cshoot is the concentration of heavy metals in the above ground portion and Croot is their concentration in below ground (Ghosh, and Singh, 2005; Abdu et al., 2011b).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of urban and peri-urban agriculture for food security and highlights the associated risks of heavy metal contamination in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.
2. Materials and Methods: Details the field experimental setup across six sites in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the sample collection processes, and the mathematical frameworks used to quantify metal uptake and health risks.
3. Results: Presents empirical data on heavy metal concentrations in soil and produce, demonstrating varying accumulation rates across different vegetable species and production sites.
4. Discussion: Analyzes the findings regarding soil-plant transfer and health hazards, contextualizing the heavy metal presence within the geological and anthropogenic background of the region.
5. Conclusions: Summarizes that despite heavy metal accumulation in soils, the current risk for consumers remains relatively low according to calculated health indices, while advocating for better quality regulation.
Keywords
Urban and peri-urban agriculture, Mumbai Metropolitan Region, heavy metals, food safety, phytoavailability, soil-to-root transfer, health risk index, wastewater irrigation, bioaccumulation, trace elements, vegetable contamination, metal translocation, anthropogenic origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The study investigates the health aspects and food safety of urban and peri-urban agricultural production in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, focusing specifically on heavy metal accumulation in crops.
Which agricultural systems were compared?
The research conducted a comparative analysis between traditional farms and railway-side gardens in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
What is the main objective regarding metal transfer?
The primary goal is to characterize how heavy metals move from the soil into the edible portions of vegetables, assessing both soil-to-root translocation and localized accumulation.
Which scientific methods were employed to assess risk?
The authors utilized metrics such as Metal Transfer Factor (MTF), Metal Translocation Factor (TF), Daily Intake of Metals (DIM), Health Risk Index (HRI), and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ).
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main sections detail the site characteristics, the specific heavy metals analyzed (Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Sr, Co), the statistical analysis of their concentration, and the environmental implications for urban food systems.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include urban agriculture, heavy metals, health risks, food chain contamination, and wastewater irrigation.
Does the study find significant health risks for consumers?
The findings suggest that while heavy metals are present, the calculated health risk indices indicate a relative absence of immediate health danger from the ingestion of these specific vegetables, except in cases concerning Zn and Ni.
How does the origin of soil influence the results?
The study notes that heavy metal sources are primarily lithogenic and pedogenic due to the Deccan Traps, though anthropogenic contributions—such as from railway traffic or industrial waste—also play a role.
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- Dr. Prem Jose Vazhacahrickal (Autor:in), Jiby John Mathew (Autor:in), Sajeshkumar N.K. (Autor:in), 2016, Health aspects and food safety in urban and peri-urban agricultural production in India. Farms and railway gardens across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/343270
