Taylor and Francis Group, Analytical Letters, 5-6(45), p. 551-562
DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2011.649460
Full text: Download
The objective of the work was to investigate the correlation between the environmental pollution of Asopos river area in Viotia, Greece and the concentration of Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, and As in specific crops (carrots, onions, and potatoes) produced in this region. Samples of these crops from Asopos and other Greek areas (control) were collected. For method accuracy, the Certified Reference Material, CRM 281 (trace elements in rye grass) was measured. Simultaneous multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was used after a microwave acid digestion. The levels of Ni in Asopos food were found up to 9 times higher than control (e.g., Asopos potatoes had an average Ni content of 800 µg/kg compared to 78 µg/kg in control, whereas Asopos carrots had an average Ni content of 474 µg/kg compared to 93 µg/kg in control). Likewise, the levels of Cr were found to be about 2 times higher than control (e.g., Asopos carrots were found to have an average Cr content of 43 µg/kg compared to 20 µg/kg in control). The levels of Cd and Pb had a high variance in the Asopos sourced food. Arsenic was not detected in any sample. Our results indicate that the mean intake of trace elements (Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Cu) by adults through consumption of crops from Asopos, for an average consumption pattern, generally is well below the Allowable Daily Intakes (ADIs). Comparison was also made with data from literature from Greece.