BIOACCUMULATION AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS (PB, CR, CD) IN COMMERCIAL DATE PALM (PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L.) CULTIVARS OF NORTHERN SINDH, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The Heavy Metals Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Lead (Pb) analysed from five date palm varieties Aseel, Karbalain, Kupro, Dedhi and Fasli of five commercial date palm growers in Taluka Pano Akil, Sukkur, Pakistan. The results of ICP-OES analysis of harvested fruit samples revealed significant differences among the varietals in their uptake of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and trace elements: Karbalain showed the highest Lead uptake (2.4 mg/kg), Aseel the highest Cadmium uptake (0.04mg/kg), Dedhi the highest Chromium uptake (2.3mg/kg), whereas Kupro showed the lowest Lead and Cadmium uptake, while Aseel showed the lowest uptake of Chromium and trace elements. The concentrations of metals were found to be below the Maximum Allowable Levels recommended by the international standard making bodies in the majority of cases in the safety evaluations. The concentrations of metals were found to be below the Maximum Allowable Levels recommended by the international standard making bodies in the majority of cases in the safety evaluations. In general, dates cultivated in Taluka Pano Akil are safe to be consumed by humans; however, environmental monitoring is suggested for future to control the pollution risk.