Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Different Vegetables Traded in the Local Market in Brack Alshatti, South of Libya

Abstract

This study was conducted to monitor the content of vegetables from the residues of some heavy metals Including lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and iron in The vegetables traded in local markets in the Brack Alshatti area in Southern Libya. The results of the study showed that the concentration of heavy metal elements were as follows: the concentration of lead in the vegetables ranged between 5.542 ppm in the cauliflower sample and 0.194 ppm in the turnip sample. All the studied samples exceeded the permissible limits in the Libyan specifications, the Food and Agriculture Organization specifications, and the World Health Organization specifications. While, the concentration of cadmium in the vegetables under study ranged between 0.801 ppm in the zucchini sample and 0.242 ppm in the eggplant sample, and all the values exceeded the permissible limits in the Libyan specifications. The highest concentration of zinc was recorded in the eggplant sample at a concentration of 5.32 ppm, and the lowest concentration was in the carrot sample. It was found that all the values were within the permissible limit in the specifications of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Whereas, the concentration of iron in the vegetables was between 7.95 ppm in the zucchini sample, which is the highest concentration, and 0.71 ppm, which is the lowest concentration in the potato sample. However, all the values of iron in the studied samples were within the permissible limits in the specifications of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization specifications.