Elemental Analysis of Some Selected Environmental Samples and Their Effect on Public Health

Abstract

Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and Particle Induced -ray Emission (PIGE) technique have been employed to perform essential and trace elemental analysis of some environmentally important samples including water, soil, fruits and vegetables from Rajshahi district of north-western part of Bangladesh by Tandem accelerator. Fluorine (F) has attracted serious attention in recent years because of the apparent role it plays in human health. The F content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 0.96 to 2.01mg/L with a mean of 1.44 mg/L in monsoon season and winter season vary from 1.05 to 2.45mg/L with a mean 1.27mg/L. The maximum recommended value for Bangladesh being 1.00mg/L. The study present that 80% of the samples contain higher F than the recommended maximum which indicated the probability of F problem in drinking water for the population of Rajshahi region of Bangladesh. To find the source of F in ground water soil samples were analyzed. F content of soil in the study area lies in the range of 243 to 415mg/Kg with a mean of 312.5mg/Kg in monsoon season and concentration vary 200 to 401mg/Kg in winter season. Most of the investigated soil samples have values for F content above 300mg/kg, which is maximum permissible value for the content of this element in agriculture soil. It indicates that the F pollution of ground water may be caused by F bearing minerals. To know the F uptake by the population of the study area vegetables and fruits samples were analyzed but no samples contain F. So, it can be concluded that vegetables and fruits are not a significant source of F uptake of the population of this region.

Manganese (Mn) content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 0.11 to 0.33 mg/L in monsoon season and 0.23 to 0.58 mg/L in winter season. It shows that about 100% of the surveyed samples have Mn concentrations exceeding the Bangladesh drinking water standard of 0.1 mg/L but do not exceed the WHO health-based guideline value of 0.4 mg/L. Iron (Fe) content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 0.95 to 2.03mg/L in monsoon season and 0.86 to 1.85 mg/L in winter season. The Bangladesh standard value being 1 mg/L and WHO guideline value 0.3mg/L. From the present study it is found that 80% of the studied samples contain higher Fe than the recommended maximum. Calcium (Ca) content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 80 to 115mg/L in monsoon season 89 to 120mg/L in winter season. The standard WHO guideline value 75mg/L. From the present study it is found that 100% of the studied samples contain higher Ca than the recommended maximum Copper (Cu) content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 0.29 to 1.1mg/L in monsoon and 0.49 to 1.13mg/L in winter season. The Bangladesh standard value being 1.3mg/L and WHO guideline value 1 mg/L. From the present study it is found that 100% of the studied samples contain lower concentration of Cu than the recommended maximum. Zinc (Zn) content of ground water in the study area lies in the range of 1.20 to 4.52mg/L in monsoon and concentration vary from 2.20 to 4.25mg/L in winter season. The WHO guideline value 5.0mg/L. From the present study it is found that 100% of the studied samples contain lower Zn than the recommended maximum.

Soil samples of the study area were found to be rich in Cu, Mg, Mn, Ca and B but deficient in K, P and Zn. In the present study P was found in only two samples (567 & 409 mg/kg in monsoon season and 560 & 398 mg/kg in winter season) out of ten samples which are much lower than the optimum value (800 mg/kg). Concentration of K varies from 47 to 245 mg/kg in monsoon season and 55 to 180 mg/kg in winter season which is lower than the global range (78-273 mg/kg). So, P enriched fertilizer and potash fertilizer should be used in the study area and the farmer of this area should be made aware about the P and K deficiency of their lands. Soil samples of the study area are also found to be poor in Zn. Zinc-deficient soils can be easily treated with zinc fertilizers to provide an adequate supply of Zn to crops. Several different zinc compounds are utilized as fertilizers but zinc sulphate is by far the most widely used. PIXE technique has been employed to perform essential and trace elemental analysis of Zn, Ca, Fe, K, Cl, Cu, Mn, Br in some fruits and vegetables of Rajshahi region of Bangladesh. The selected fruits and vegetables are commonly consumed by all income groups of the locality. The concentration of the elements in each fruit and vegetable and their role for the nutrition of human being are discussed. It is clear that K and Ca are the most abundant detected elements in the samples. It is observed that in fruits Guava (Psidium guajava ) contains the highest amount of Ca (66800mg/kg) and Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) contain highest of K (28950mg/kg). In vegetables highest amount of Ca and K are exhibited by Turnip (Brassica rapa) (30541mg/kg) and Potato (Solanum tuberosum) (31098mg/kg) respectively. The Fe content fairly good in all fruit samples (varying from 250.30mg/kg in Amla (Emblica officinalis) to 545mg/kg in Papaya (Cavica Papaya)) and all vegetables samples (varying from 319 mg/kg in Bottle Gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) to 9230 mg/kg in Carrot (Daucus carota)). Zn content in the studied samples is highest in Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) (65mg/kg) in fruit and Carrot (Daucus carota) 110.05mg/kg in vegetables. Mn is found in all fruits and vegetables samples. Among them in vegetables Carrot (Daucus carota) contains highest amount (10mg/kg) of Mn and in fruits Olive contain highest amount (9mg/kg) of Mn. Copper content in the studied samples is found only in Pumkin (Cucurbita moschata) (26.87mg/kg) in vegetables and Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) (20.56mg/kg) in fruit which probably plays a role in prevention of inflammation, given that Cu is a useful anti-inflammatory agent. Highest CI content is found in vegetables in Potato (Solanum tuberosum) (7890mg/kg) and Carambola (Averrhoa carambola) (4567mg/kg) in fruit. The minimum chloride requirement for a healthy adult is 700mg/day. The deficiency of chlorine causes anorexia, weakness, growth failure, severe convulsions. Bromine only found in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) (118mg/kg) in vegetables. No toxic heavy metals were detected. The data from this study provide a preliminary assessment of the background levels of selected trace and essential elements of Rajshahi district. Therefore such studies will help us to understand the environmental pollution and its effects on human health. In the developed countries such analysis are done routinely to ensure the good health and quality of life of their citizens.