Accumulation and Translocation of Eight Trace Metals by the Different Tissues of Abelmoschus Esculentus Moench. Irrigated With Untreated Wastewater

Abstract Usage of wastewater to irrigate crops increases in Egypt and the whole world as a result of water shortage. This study is conducted to explore the potential of Abelmoschus esculentus Moench. (Okra plant) to accumulate and translocate eight trace metals: lead: Pb, cadmium: Cd, chromium: Cr, copper: Cu, iron: Fe, manganese: Mn, nickel: Ni and zinc: Zn in its different tissues due to irrigation with untreated industrial wastewater. It extended to assess the effect of the irrigation with wastewater on the growth parameters, nutrients, pigments and organic contents of the cultivated okra plants.Two studied sites at South of Cairo was conducted, the first site (29°42'31.17" N and 31°15'11.56" E); represented by five cultivated fields irrigated with Nile water (control) and the second site (29°42'37.87" N and 31°17'14.53" E); fields irrigated with effluent receive untreated industrial wastewater. Three composite soil and irrigated water samples were collected from each site. A significant decrease in nutrients: nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and Phosphorous (P) in soil and Plants were resulted due to irrigation with wastewater. Also, there was a significant increase in trace metals concentration in both soil and plants irrigated with wastewater. A significant decrement in okra growth parameters and leaves photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids) due to irrigation with wastewater. Iron was the highest accumulated metal in the plant's fruits (edible part) irrigated with wastewater. Also, the concentration of Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn (42.57, 140,67, 2756.67, 1293.33, 1326.67 and 877.83 mg kg− 1, respectively) was in the phytotoxic range. Wastewater irrigated okras accumulate all of the studied trace metals in their roots (Bioaccumulation factor: BF > 1). In contrast, okra plants had no accumulated trace metals strategy in their shoot, as translocation factor values were less than one. Authors recommended avoiding consuming okra plants cultivated in fields irrigated with wastewater due to high trace metals concentration in their edible part.