Contamination level of Triticum vulgare L. cultivated on soils around a metallurgical area in Galati, Romania

Abstract

Wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) is one of the most cultivated plants in the Galati-Braila region, where after the latest statistical data, quantities of 4000-5000 kg/ ha/year have been obtained. The present study aims to investigate the contamination level of the wheat edible parts due to industrial activity. This aspect is of great interest for human nutrition, especially as the studied area is located in the air mass circulating zone that trains the toxic particles emitted by the Galati steel plant. An impact on the quality of agricultural production, regarding the contamination with toxic elements, may also have the defective application of chemical fertilizers, which in quantities not complying with plant needs and soil properties may lead to the loading of agricultural products with harmful elements. In order to determine the transfer level of contaminants (heavy metals) in grains, the concentrations of Cr and Zn both in soil and wheat were determined by specific techniques, such as High-Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) applied at INPOLDE research center, ReForm multidisciplinary platform, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati. Analytical results showed very high concentrations in soil for total Cr (117.10-383.10 mg/kg), exceeding approximately 13 times the maximum admissible limit (30 mg/kg), and for total Zn  (63.31-136.59 mg/kg), exceeding sensitively the reference limit (100 mg/kg). Zn is known for its important role in the normal course of physiological processes in plants, but which in high concentrations can cause significant crop decline. Chromium is one of the most toxic elements which, if released in the soil solution, mostly under particular pH conditions, can be translocated into the plant tissues. The investigated grains shows low concentrations of Cr and Zn. The bioaccumulation factor recorded values ​​lower than 1, which means that the wheat grains do not accumulate these elements in excess, under this region climate and the given soil condition.