This study was conducted to monitor the impact of factories and smelters of the industrial area of Shobra El-Kheima near Cairo on soil and plant. Soil samples were collected from the area at four different distances from smelters i.e. 0, 50, 100 and 300 m. Samples of wheat plants (Triticum oestivum c.v Giza 164) at the stage of complete maturity were also taken. Each plant was separated into roots, stems, leaves and grains which were further separated into flour and barn.
The highest value of both total and AB-DTPA extractable heavy metals in soil were found at 50 m distance beyond which there was a decrease with increasing distance.
Dry matter of plant was highest at 300 m and lowest at 0 to 100 m; and the weight of 1000 grains was lowest at 50 m distance from the smelters.
Concentrations of Fe and Cu in wheat were highest in roots while Mn and Zn were highest at in leaves. Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu were highest in plants grown at 50 m distance thereafter tended to decrease with distance.
Concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu did not reach the toxic level in wheat plants especially the grains. Heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Ni) were highest in roots and lowest in grains. They were highest in plant grown at 50 to 100 m distance and lower at 0 as well as 300 m. |
