Analysis of As and Pb accumulation in garden soil and vegetable crops in three Belgrade municipalities

Abstract

This study evaluated concentrations of arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) in vegetable crops (carrots and cabbage) and garden soil in three municipalities in the City of Belgrade (Lazarevac, Obrenovac and Surčin) to assess soil contamination levels and the affinity of the crops to absorb these heavy metal(loid)s. Elevated levels of As and Pb were measured in garden soil in Lazarevac, which indicates a potential risk for growing vegetable crops in this municipality. Although bioconcentration factor values for both elements in both cultures indicated the low affinity of the examined species to accumulate these elements in those organs used in the human diet (BCF<1), As concentrations were found to be above the normal range for plants and higher than the permitted levels for dried vegetables in both vegetable cultures at all the sampling sites, while Pb content was higher in carrots than the permitted levels for dried vegetables as set out by national legislation, which requires further investigation.