universiti putra malaysia assessment of heavy … · due to the extensive land levelling and...
TRANSCRIPT
UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AND VEGETABLES IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS VEGETABLE FARMS
EL IDRISSI ABOUJAAFAR SIDI MOHAMED
FP 2002 34
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AND VEGETABLES IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS VEGETABLE FARMS
EL IDRISSI ABOUJAAFAR SIDI MOHAMED
MASTER OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA
2002
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AND VEGETABLES IN CAMERON mGHLANDS VEGETABLE FARMS
By
EL IDRISSI ABOUJAAFAR SIDI MOHAMED
Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Agricultural Science
October 2002
Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master Agricultural Science
ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AND VEGETABLES IN CAMERON HIGHLANDS VEGETABLE FARMS
By
EL IDRISSI ABOUJAAFAR SIDI MOHAMED October 2002
Chairman: Professor Dr. Shamshuddin Jusop Faculty: Agriculture
Vegetable cultivation is the most important agricultural activity in Cameron
Highlands; about 64% of the population are involved in vegetable cultivation, with a
total area of 2 599 hectares. Due to the extensive land levelling and construction of
terraces, the vegetables are essentially grown on the subsoil. The subsoil are mainly
sandy clay or clay, with large amounts of organic matter being added usually in the form
of chicken manure.
In a study of assessment of heavy metals in soils and vegetables of Cameron
Highlands, Peninsular Malaysia, 200 soil and 40 vegetable samples from various
locations were analyzed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), texture, cadmium (Cd),
copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn), organic carbon COe),
pH and available phosphorus (P). The results showed that there was no relationship
between total Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn concentrations in the soils and in the vegetables.
Correlation studies of soil fertility parameters and total heavy metal concentration
showed positive correlation between total P and Pb (r =0.492*) and Ni (r = 0.514*). This
1ll
is indicative of addition of these metals as impurities in organic and inorganic fertilizers
Organic Cd showed a positive correlation (r = 0.538*) with soil carbon (OC), while Pb
showed a negative correlation (r = - 0.507*). This is indicative of addition of Cd as
impurities in organic manures.
Copper was positively correlated with clay content (r = 0.678**), while Pb (r = -
0.484*) and Ni (r = -0.554*) were negatively correlated with AI. Pb was negatively
correlated with CEC (r = -0.502*). Anova analysis of total Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni and Pb
with soil depth showed a very strong positive relationship. The concentration of Zn, Cd,
Cr and Cu are high only in the topsoil (0-20 em), but the concentration of these elements
remain the same in the depths of 20-40 em and 40-60 em. This is indicative of the
contamination from agriculture activities. The difference in heavy metals from the
cultivated soils and the control (primary forest) provides further evidence of the
contamination by agriculture activities.
The concentrations of heavy metal in Cameron Highlands soils from different
vegetable farms were studied. Brinchang and Tanah Rata vegetable farms had very high
concentration of Zn (219.80 mglkg); in Brinchang it is above the background values
(Dutch Standard Guidelines). Also Brinchang and Tanah Rata farms had very high
concentration of eu (61.80 and 71.20 mglkg, respectively), which is above the
background level. Cd tends to be high in all Cameron Highlands farm soils.
The concentration of heavy metals in cabbage from Blue Valley had the highest
concentration of Zn (133.99 mglkg), while Tring Cap cabbage had the lowest
concentration (73.01 mglkg). Bertam Valley cabbage had the highest concentration of
iv
Pb (1.50 mglkg), while the lowest concentration (0.26 mglkg) occurs in the Blue Valley
cabbage. Bertam Valley cabbage had also the highest concentration of Cd (0.55 mg!kg),
while the lowest concentration (0.18 mg/kg) was found in the Blue Valley cabbage.
Jalin Trisu cabbage had the highest concentration ofNi (10.26 mglkg), while the
lowest concentration (4.78 mglkg) was in the Blue Valley cabbage. Finally, Taman
Sadia cabbage had the highest concentration of eu (92.66 mglkg), while the lowest
concentration (5.01 mg/kg) was in the Kea Farm cabbage.
It can be considered that Cameron Highlands vegetables planted on contaminated
soils are not harmful for human consumption.
v
Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia Sebagai memenuhi syarat ijazah Master Sains Pertanian
PENILAIAN KONTAMINASI LOGAM BERA T DALAM TANAH DAN SA YURSA YURAN DI LADANG SA YUR DI CAMERON HIGHLANDS
Pengerusi: Fakulti:
Oleh
EL IDRISSI ABOUJAAFAR SIDI MOHAMED
Oktober 2002
Profesor Dr. Shamshuddin Jusop Pertanian
Pengeluaran sayur-sayuran merupakan aktiviti pertanian utama di Cameron
Hiaghlands. Lebih kurang 64% daripada pendudukanya tertibat, dengan keluasan
kawasan sebanyak 2599lhektar. Oleh kerana proses meratakan tanah yang melampau
dan pembinaran teres, sayur-sayuran sebenarnya ditanam di atas subtanah. Subtanah ini
kebanyakanya lempung berpasir dan lempung yang dibajakan dengan jumlah bahan
organik yang tingi dalam bentuk tahi ayam.
Kenpayaan pertukaran kation (KPK), tekstur, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, Zn, karbon
organik, pH dan P tersedia telah dianalisis dalam satu hajian untuk menilai logam berat
dalam tanah dan sayur di Cameron Highlands, semenanjung Malaysia. Sebanyak 200
contoh pilih dan 40 contoh sayur daripada beberapa lokasi telah dipili. Didapati tiada
vi
kaitan diantara kepekatan Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, dan Zn total di dalam tanah dan sayuran.
Kajian korelasi diantara parameter kesuburan dan kepekatan logam berat total
menunjukkan korelasi positif di antara P total dan Pb (r =0.492*) dan Ni (r :;:: 0.514*).
lni menunjukkan penambahan logam berat tersebut sebagai bahan kotoran raeum fosfat
nitro. Cadmium organik berkorelasi positif (r = 0.538*) dengan karbon organik,
manakala Pb berkorelasi negatif (r = - 0.507*). lni juga menunjukkan pertambahan Cd
sebagai bahan kotoran dalam baja organik.
Kuprum bereorelasi positif dengan kandungan lempung (r = 0.678**), manakala
Pb (r :;:: -0.484*) dan Ni (r = -0.554*) berkorelasi negatif dengan AI. Pb berkorelasi
negatif dengan KPK (r = -0.502*). Analisis ANOV A Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni dan Pb dengan
kedalaman tanah menunjukkan pertalian positif yang kuat. Kepekatan Zn, Cd, Cr dan Cu
tinggi dalam tanah atas (0-20 em), tetapi kepekatan elemen ini pada kedalaman 20-40
dan 40-60 em tidak berubah. lni menunjukkan kontaminasi daripada aktiviti pertanian.
Perbezaan logam berat dalam tanah pertanian dengan eontoh kawalan (hutan primer)
boleh di gunakan sebagai bukti tambahan.
Kepekatan logam berat dalam tanah Cameron Highlands daripada ladang sayuran
telah dikaji. Ladang sayur Brinehang dan Tanah Rata mengandungi kepakatan Zn yang
sangat tingi (219.80 mg/kg); di Brinehang ianya melebehi nilai asas A (Dutch Standard
Guidelines). Di samping itu juga, ladang sayur Brinehang dan Tanah Rata mengandungi
Cu yang sangat tinggi (masing-masing bernilai 61.80 dan 71.20 mg/kg), berada di atas
nilai asas. Cd di dapati agak tinggi dalam tanah sayuran di Cameron Highlands.
vii
Kubis daripada ladang Blue Valley mengandungi Zn tertinggi (133.99 mglkg),
manakala kubis daripada Tring Cap mengandungi Zn terendah (73.01 mg/kg). Kubis
daripada Bertam Valley mengandungi Pb tertinggi (1.50 mglkg) , manakala kubis
daripada Blue Valley mengandungi Ph terendah (0.26 mglkg). Kubis daripada Bertam
Valley mengandungi Cd yang tertinggi (0.55 mg/kg), manakala kuhis daripada Blue
Valley mengandungi Cd terendah (0.18 mg/kg). Kubis daripada Jalin Trisu
mengandungi Ni tertinggi (10.26 mglkg), manakala kubis daripada Blue Valley
mengandungi Ni terendah (4.78 mglkg). Akhir sekali, kubis daripada Taman Sadia
mengandungi Cu tertinggi (92.66 mglkg) , manakaIa kubis daripada Kea Farm
mengandungi eu terendah (5.01 mg/kg).
Adalah boleh dianggap bahawa sayur di Cameron Highlands yang ditanam di
atas tanah tercemar tidak merbahaya untuk dimakan
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank my great brother for the financial support, which made my study
in Malaysia possible. Also, the completion of this thesis would have been impossible
without the help of so many kind hearted individuals. To them, I am hugely indebted. I
have no way of repaying such a debt except to express my sincerest gratitude.
I would like to thank Prof Dr J Shamshuddin, of the Department of Land
Management, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, Malaysia for his keen interest, valuable
contribution and tireless guidance during the preparation of this thesis. His countless
patience, encouragement and generosity cannot be over emphasized.
I am also very grateful to Assoc. Prof Dr Mohd Khanif Yusop, Dean, Faculty of
Agriculture, UPM, Malaysia for his support, guidance and friendship and Assoc. Prof Dr
Aminuddin Hussin for his support and guidance.
Finally I would like to thank my sister Khadija, my brothers, Ijaz, Youssef,
Fauzi, Othman and all my friends around the world and my colleagues and friends in the
department.
ix
I certify that an Examination Committee met on 7Th October 2002 to conduct the final examination of El Idrissi Aboujaafar Sidi Mohamed on his Master of Agricultural Science thesis entitled .. Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Soils and Vegetables in Cameron Highlands Vegetables Farms" in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulation 1981. The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are follows:
Zaharah Abdul Rahman,Ph.D. Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairperson)
Shamshuddin Jusop, Ph.D.
Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
Mohd KhanifYusop, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
Aminuddin Hussin, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
SHAMSHER MOHAMAD RAMADILI, Ph.D. Professor !Deputy Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date:
x
This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agricultural Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follows:
Shamshuddin Jusop, Ph.D. Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)
Mohd Khanif Yusop, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
Aminuddin Hussin, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)
AINI IDERIS, Ph.D. Professor /Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia
Date: 1 3 FEB 2003
xi
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations which, have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.
EI Idrissi Aboujaafar Sidi Mohamed EI Montassir
Date: � Itt. I � ,,0 2,.,
Xll
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEDICATION ABSTRACT ABSTRAK ACKNO�EDGEMENTS APPROVAL SHEETS DECLARATION FORM
LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF ABREVIATIONS
CHAPTER
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 General introduction 1.2 Objectives 1.3 Hypothesis
2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Relationship between Heavy Metals and Rock Types 2.2 Heavy Metal Pollution As Related to Human Activity 2.3 The Relationship between Heavy Metals and Clay Content 2.4 The Effect of Phosphate Fertilizers on Heavy Metal Pollution 2.5 Relationship between Heavy Metals and Soil Fertility Parameters 2.6 Heavy Metals Contamination in Vegetables 2.7 Relationship between Heavy Metals and Plant Uptake 2.8 The Effects of Heavy Metals on Health 2.9 Contaminated Soils of Cameron Highlands
2.9.1 Vegetable Cultivation 2.9.2 Water Sources 2.9.3 Soil Toxicity 2.9.4 Fertilizer Practices 2.9.5 Pesticides 2.9.6 Insecticides 2.9.7 fungicides 2.9.8 Weedicides
2.10 Need for this Study 2.11 Dutch standards
3 MATERIALS AND METHODS 3.1 Surveyed Area and Sampling Sites
3.1.1 Location 3.1.2 Site Description
Xlll
11 ill VI IX x Xl XVI XV11 xix
1 4 4
5 6 7 8 10 11 13 14 15 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 21 22
24 24
3.2 Sampling of the Rock, Soils and Vegetables 3.2. 1 Rocks 3.2.2 Soil 3.2.3 Vegetables
3.3 Preparation of Samples 3.3.1 Rock 3.3.2 Soil 3.3.3 Vegetables
3.4 Analysis of Samples 3.4.1 Rock samples 3.4.2 Soil Samples
Texture Analysis pH (H2O) Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) Organic Carbon (OC) A vaiIable Phosphorus Exchangeable AI DTP A Extractable Method EDT A Extractable Method 0.1 N HCI Extractable Method Total Analysis
3.4.3 Tissue Samples
3.5 Statistical Analysis
4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
27 27 27
30 30 30
31 31
31 32 32 32 33 33 33 34 34 35
36
35
4.1 Introduction 37 4.2 Soil Fertility and Heavy Metals 38 4.3 Soil contamination in relation to rock type 42 4.4 Distribution of Heavy Metals in Cameron Highlands Forest Soil 43 4.5 The Relationship between the Heavy Metals and the Soil Depth 46 4.6 The Heavy Metals in Cameron Highlands Soils as Compared to the
Dutch Sandards 52 4.7 Relationship between Heavy Metals Concentration and Soil
Properties. . 54 4.8 The Concentration of Heavy Metals in Cameron Highlands
Vegetables 56 4.9 The Concentration of Heavy Metals in Cameron Highlands
Cabbage 64 4.10 Relationship between the Total Heavy Metals and the Available
Heavy Metals 67 4.11 Relationship between Heavy Metals Soils and Vegetables 67
XlV
5
6
4.12 The Comparison of the Concentration of Heavy Metals in Various Vegetables 76
4.13 The Permissible Level Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Vegetables 82
4.14 Degree of Pollution 4.14.1 Soil 82 4.14.2 Vegetables 83
CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES
86 88
APPENDIX A
APPENDIXB
APPENDIXC
BIODATA
xv
Table
LIST OF TABLES
page
Dutch Standards for soil contamination assessment A. (total concentration 23 in soil: mglkg).
2 The pH, OC, CEC and clay contents of top soil (0-20) at the various farms 40
3
4
5
6
7
The P and heavy metals concentration in the topsoil
The mean value for Heavy metals concentration in the rock
Heavy metals concentration of the soils in the forests near the sampling Sites
Heavy metals concentration in the soils of cultivated farms in Cameron Highlands
The concentration of heavy metal from different locations of Cameron Highlands
41
42
45
51
54
8 The Correlation coefficient (r) between the heavy metals in the soil and soil attributes 56
9 Heavy metals concentrations in the cabbage from the different vegetable farms 65
10 Plant to soil heavy metal ratio 70
11 The concentration of heavy metals in vegetables in Cameron Highlands compared with the Australian food permissible 85
xvi
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Map of Peninsular Malaysia showing the location of Cameron Highlands 25
2 A picture showing vegetables growing on the terrace cut from granite hill 26
3 A picture showing vegetables growing on Saprolite 26
4 Primary forest in Cameron Highlands 29
5 A picture showing forest and where were samples were collected 29
6 The change of Zn, Pb and Cu with depth 48
7 The change of Cd, Cr and Ni with depth 49
8 Mean, minimum and maximum Zn concentration in the vegetables 59
9 Mean, minimum and maximum Pb concentration in the vegetables 60
10 Mean, minimum and maximum Cd concentration in the vegetables 61
11 Mean, minimum and maximum Ni concentration in the vegetables 62
12 Mean, minimum and maximum Cu concentration in the vegetables 63
13 Distribution of vegetable farms in Cameron Highlands 66
14 Leafy vegetables and cabbage cultivation in the steplands 66
15 The concentration of Zn in soil and vegetables 71
16 The concentration of Pb in soil and vegetables. 72
17 The concentration of Cd in soil and vegetables. 73
18 The concentration ofNi in soil and vegetables. 74
19 The concentration of Cu in soil and vegetables. 75
xvii
20
21
22
23
Concentration ofNi in cabbage, tomato and beetroot
Concentration ofPb in cabbage, tomato and beetroot
Concentration of Zn in cabbage, tomato and beetroot
Concentration of Cd in cabbage, tomato and beetroot
XVlll
78
79
80
81
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
ANOVA analysis of variance
Hel acid hydrochloric
HN03 acid nitric
mg/kg milligram per kilogram
�gll microgram per liter
1 liter
ml milliliter
kg kilogram
g gram
cm centimeter
mm millimeter
dw dry weight
P phosphorus
K potassium
Ca calcium
Cu copper
Cr chromium
Cd cadmium
Ni nickel
Zn zinc
CEC cation exchange capacity
AAS atomic absorption spectrophotometer
ICP inductively coupled plasma
AI aluminum
DC organic carbon
XIX
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 General introduction
Cameron Highlands was discovered by Mr William Cameron in 1885.
Subsequently, it was revisited in 1908 by H.N.Ridley who studied the flora around
Ringlet and the Bertam Valley. In 1922 an expedition was organized to locate areas
for tea and coffee cultivation (Sands, 1922). The soils collected by Sands (1922)
were analyzed and studied. The soils were reported to be distinctly different from
other Malaysian soils, but resembled the best tea soils of India and Java. The first
real study of the soils of the Cameron Highlands was made by Dennet (1930) when
he produced a sketch map showing the distribution of the soils according to their
texture.
The variation in soils as a function of altitude was studied by Burnham
(1974). He concluded that weathering became less intense with an increase in
altitude as shown by lower clay and higher silt and sand in the soils, and the
appearance of saprolite with depths. He added that parallel changes in clay
mineralogy give higher CEC and water dispersibility so that there are no Oxisols in
Malaysia above 1,200 meters (around 4,000 ft). Leaching is very strong at all
elevations, particularly at the higher elevations but clay eluviations is not significant
in the profiles studied. However, Burnham (1974) added that elevation of iron and
aluminum is important in the soils of the cloud zone. Burnham (1974), however, did
not attempt to explain these observations.
Cameron Highlands is situated in mountainous area with elevation exceeding
1000 m asl. The area experiences mild temperature, ranging from 14°C to 24 °c
throughout the year, making it very conducive to the growth of a wide range of su b
tropical crops. Most of the Cameron Highlands area can be classified as steep lands,
with more than 66% of the land having gradients greater than 20°. Steep lands are
generally not recommended for agriculture, but the favorable cool climate has
encouraged the growth of several agricultural activities in the area.
There is an intensive form of agriculture being practiced in Cameron
Highlands especially for the cultivation of vegetables, flowers and tea. Most of the
vegetables are grown on terraces cut into granite hills. Often these terraces are on the
C-horizon or saprolite. Large inputs of chicken manures and chemical fertilizers are
added to sustain the vegetable cultivation.
Although agriculture takes only about 7 % of the area, it has caused a
significant amount of environmental pollution. The initial opening of forested areas
resulted in intensive soil erosion. Erosion continues to be a problem during the
cultivation of vegetables or other short-term crops. Soil loss exceeds 83 tonnes per
hectare every year in open cabbage farms (Wan Abdullah et ai., 2000). The erosion
under tea is low, while that in chrysanthemum farms under the rain shelter is less
than I tonne per hectare per year, which is about 80 times smaller than that in the
open vegetable farms (Wan Abdullah et al., 2000). High amounts of organic
2
fertilizers ranging from 49 to 84 tonnes per hectare per season are used in vegetable
and flower farms, about 3.2% (43 kglha) of the applied N and 5.5 % (109 kglha) of
the applied K were removed through runoff(Wan Abdullah et aI., 2000).
During peak. runoff periods, the concentration ofN0)- in runoff water reaches
25 mg/kg, exceeding the permissible limit (Wan Abdullah et ai., 2000). This is an
indication that open vegetables farms in Cameron Highlands and the long-term
addition of fertilizers either organic or inorganic such as phosphate rock. chicken
dung and other kind of fertilizers may accumulate heavy metals in the soil.
Farm land in Cameron Highlands is increasingly being brought under plastic
cover to keep rain out. It is estimated that there are about 777 ha under highland
flower cultivation, of which almost the entire grown area is under rainshelter. A
much smaller area under rainshelter is devoted to the growing of vegetables and
ornamental plants (Wan Abdullah et ai., 2000). Given a choice, farmers will always
prefer their land to be under rainshelter. Growing of crops under rainshelter offers
many advantages. It avoids hazards associated with untimely rains and planting
density is also higher as most rainshelters are built on flat and gently sloping
platforms carved out of hillsides. Generally, cropping cycles are also faster. For
chrysanthemum, each cropping cycle is about 3.5 months with 10-14 days break
between seasons to allow for soil treatment and field preparation. The cropping cycle
for some leafy vegetables can be as short as about a month. Rainshelter also offers a
relatively more conducive working environment compared to open terraces (Wan
Abdullah et ai., 2000).
3
Intensive cropping cycle are accompanied by high inputs of fertilizers and
other agrobiocides. Much of these inputs slowly accumulate over time in the soil.
Except for vegetable growing where crop rotation is practiced, flower farmers tend to
grow the same type of flower on a continuous basis. This leads to a high
accumulation of fertilizers in the soils given that natural leaching via rainfall and
irrigation is minimal. This results in salt build up in the soil giving rise to high
electrical conductivity. Salt accumulation in soils under plastic houses is a common
and well documented occurrence (Chang and Liao, 1989).
1.2 Objectives
The objectives of this study were:
a. To determine the level of heavy metal concentration in
the agricultural soils commonly grown with vegetables in
the Cameron Highlands;
b. To determine among the heavy metals in the soils,
those which are available to be taken up by
the plants; and
c. To determine the relationship between the heavy
metals in the soils and the vegetables
1.3 Hypothesis
The agricultural practices are the main factors that contribute to heavy metal
contamination in the soils and vegetables of Cameron Highlands.
4