Pollution monitoring and assessment of heavy metals in leafy vegetable: A case study of a typical industrial district

Wujian Zhang; Jinyuan Guo; Jinpeng Fang; Miao Tian; Yazhu Wang

doi:10.6911/WSRJ.202601_12(1).0001

Authors

Wujian Zhang
Jinyuan Guo
Jinpeng Fang
Miao Tian
Yazhu Wang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6911/WSRJ.202601_12(1).0001

Keywords:

Qingshan District, Heavy metal, Literature review, Citespace, Leafy vegetables

Abstract

Long-term consumption of contaminated leafy vegetables poses potential health risks, particularly in areas affected by heavy metal (HM) pollution. To assess the status of vegetable contamination in China and provide a foundation for the experimental sampling of this study, HM data for vegetables published between 2017 and 2021 in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science databases were reviewed. Based on the accumulation characteristics of HMs in vegetables reported in the literature, this study analyzed the total amount of HMs in leafy vegetables from Qingshan District, a typical industrial area. The results showed that the average concentrations of HMs in the four vegetables did not exceed the limits set by national food safety standards. However, at certain sampling points, the HM levels in amaranth were close to or even exceeded the permissible limits, indicating a potential risk of Cd contamination in amaranth. The single-factor pollution indicated that the four HMs across the four vegetables were all classified as "uncontaminated." Notably, amaranth and water spinach exhibited relatively higher single-factor pollution indices for Cd, while vegetable shoots and Chinese cabbage showed higher single-factor pollution indices for Hg.

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References

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