Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal and Metalloid Contamination on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) Grown in Wastewater-Irrigated Urban Farming Sites in Sargodha, Pakistan

The levels of heavy metals and metalloids such as Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd and Pb in soil grown with cabbage (Brassica oleracea) were analyzed in two different urban farming sites in Sargodha, Pakistan. Wastewater contained an elevated level of metals and metalloids which were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. At both sites, the mean concentrations of As and Cd in soil and of Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd and Pb in B. oleracea were above the permissible limits. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found between the level of the metals and metalloids in the vegetable samples obtained based on the site of collection. The treated wastewater can be used for a short period as a solution for water scarcity to mitigate severe environmental conditions and for re-vegetation purposes.