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Trace Element Concentration in Mango (Mangifera indica L.), Seedless Guava (Psidium guajava L.) and Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Grown on Agricultural and Ex-mining Lands of Bidor, Perak

L. H. Ang and L. T. Ng

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, Volume 23, Issue 1, April 2000

Keywords: trace element contamination, tin tailings, Carica papaya, Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava

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Fruits namely mango, papaya, and seedless guava grown on agricultural and ex-mining lands in Bidor were sampled for analyse of heavy metal contamination. The concentration of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in the fruits were analysed. The results showed that, with the exception of Hg in mango and Pb in guava, fruits grown on agricultural land have higher levels of heavy metals than those grown on ex-mining land. The concentration of heavy metal in all fruits of both soil types ranged from 0.06 to 0.55 mg kg1 for Cd, 0.02 to 0.78 mg kg1 for Hg, 0.63 to 8.71 mg kg1 for Pb, 5.20 to 12.22 mg kg1 for Zn, and 2.01 to 5.74 mg kg1 for Cu. Both Cr and Ni were not detected in papaya grown on mine spoils, whilst As was not detected in all fruits grown on both types of soils. The findings indicate that all fruits contained unacceptably high levels of Hg and Pb. The probable causes of contamination are discussed. Further studies are required to investigate the cause of heavy metal contamination in these fruits.

ISSN 0128-7680

e-ISSN 2231-8526

Article ID

JTAS-0197-2000

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