Abstract
The aim of the present research was to determine the trace metal accumulations in Trigonella foenum-graecum irrigated with three different water regimes (ground water, canal water and sugar mill water). Also, transfer factors, pollution load indices, and health risk indices were assessed to evaluate metal transport and accumulation through the food chain. The analysis was conducted by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu model AA-6300) to evaluate the concentration of metals in water, soil and vegetables. Trace metal concentrations in water samples ranged from 0.84 to 1.67, 0.42 to 0.72, 0.45 to 0.85, 2.51 to 9.99, 1.21 to 1.92, 1.82 to 9.98 and 0.64 to 0.91 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn and Mn, respectively. The mean metal concentrations in soil samples were determined as 0.25, 0.86, 0.96, 3.37, 0.4, 0.44 and 2.31 mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn and Mn, respectively. Trace metal accumulations in T. foenum-graecum samples gathered from where soil samples were taken are as follows: The contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn and Mn ranged from 0.48 to 1.06, 0.11 to 0.35, 0.15 to 0.29, 1.43 to 8.39, 0.39 to 0.54, 2.1 to 3.05 and 0.42 to 0.47 mg/kg, respectively. Statistical analyses showed that the treatments have non-significant effect (p > 0.05) on concentrations of metals in T. foenum-graecum samples collected from three sites for Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn and Mn and significant effect on Fe and Cd.