Assessment of heavy metal and radioactivity levels in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown at Bahi Wetlands in Dodoma Region

Authors

Najat K. Mohammed, Department of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35063, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Boniface Haule, Department of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam, P. O. Box 35063, Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Section

Biological Sciences

Abstract

This study reports on the levels of heavy metals and radionuclides in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown in Bahi wetlands in Dodoma Region. The farm soil in Bahi wetland has been reported to contain elevated concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K due to the existence of shallow uranium deposit in the area. In this study, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown in three zones of Bahi district were analyzed for heavy metals and radioactivity associated with the uranium deposit in the area. The concentrations of elements were determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDXRF) of Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, Arusha. The activities of the radionuclides were calculated from their concentration in µg/g. The concentrations of Pb and Cd in all samples were found to be higher than the maximum tolerable limits recommended by Codex 2015. The results show that, the mean activities of 232Th (10.8 Bq/kg) and 40K(686.9 Bq/kg)in the samples are lower than the maximum tolerable limits (1000 Bq/kg) recommended by WHO/FAO, yet higher than their activities in samples of spinach collect from a control area. Hence, regular monitoring of heavy metals and radioactivity level in farm soils and agricultural products is recommended.

Recommended Citation

Mohammed, Najat K. and Haule, Boniface (2018) "Assessment of heavy metal and radioactivity levels in spinach (Spinacia oleracea) grown at Bahi Wetlands in Dodoma Region," Tanzania Journal of Science: Vol. 44: Iss. 1, Article 14.
Available at:https://doi.org/10.65085/2507-7961.1780