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International Conference on

Recent Trends in Environmental Sustainability

ESCON22/ETERM/57
Effect of wastewater irrigation on metal(loid) partitioning, physiological and
biochemical attributes of Zea mays and Vigna radiate

Hasnain Anwar1, Muhammad Shahid*1, Natasha1, Sana Khalid1, Muhammad Nadeem1,
Ghulam Abbas1, Muhammad Sajjad Ahmad1
1Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari- Campus,
61100 Pakistan
Correspondence: muhammadshahid@cuivehari.edu.pk

Abstract
Wastewater usage for the agriculture purposes causes a number of human health risks as well
as to the environment due to the presence of Potential toxic elements (PTEs). The current study
explores the PTEs contamination, plant physiological and biochemical changes and human
health risks due to chronic exposure to PTEs after wastewater, canal water and groundwater
irrigation. A pot experiment was conducted using two widely cultivated crops (Zea mays and
Vigna radiata). All the samples (wastewater, soil and plants) were analyzed for PTEs content
(As, Cd and Pb) in addition to other physicochemical parameters. Results revealed elevated
levels of PTEs in groundwater and freshwater as compared to wastewaters. Plants uptake high
concentrations of these PTEs because of the increased bioavailability after irrigation thereby,
decreasing the total soil PTEs concentration. Highest concentrations of PTEs were present in
the plants irrigated with freshwater and groundwater. In context of physiology of Z. mays and
V. radiata, alterations in pigment content, hydrogen peroxide content and lipid peroxidation
were observed in both crops owing to high PTEs accumulation in plant tissues. The health risk
indices indicate severe carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks, especially for groundwater
and freshwater irrigated plants. Hence, it can be concluded that highest concentrations of the
PTEs were presents in plants which induce a number of risks to human health via consumption
of PTEs-contaminated grains. High PTEs build-up and potential risk were observed for
groundwater and freshwater irrigated plants. Therefore, monitoring of irrigation water is
strictly required to reduce or prevent the exposure to PTEs through edible plant parts.

Keywords: Zea mays, Vigna radiate, PTE, Carcinogenic, groundwater

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus

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