Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Available online at www.tjeas.com
©2013 TJEAS Journal-2013-3-17/2077-2082
ISSN 2051-0853 ©2013 TJEAS
Evaluation of Spatial and Temporal Variation of
Heavy Metals in Soil, Water and Rice Grain (Case
Study: Khoramabad Plain, Iran)
Hamid Reza Matinfar
Assistant Professor of Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran
Corresponding author: Hamid Reza Matinfar
ABSTRACT: In order to study the spatial and temporal variation of heavy elements in soils, water and
rice, a research project was done in Khoramabad area and repeated with three months of May, July and
September respectively. Per each test site 5 samples were selected, finally soil samples were collected.
The amount of lead, nickel and cadmium was analyses. For both nickel, lead and cadmium change is not
significant when the time period studied. Two-way analysis of variance test results show the spatial
variation of nickel, cadmium and lead levels are a significant percentage. For both nickel and lead and
cadmium change is not significant when the time period studied, significant changes in expression levels
of these elements in soils was studied. The amount of Cd in paddy fields averaged 0.182 micrograms per
gram of soil, which is equivalent to 663 grams per hectare. In comparison to German and Swiss
standards (with respectively 33 and 75 g Cd per hectare) it is very high. The amount of Cd in grains of
rice on average 0.115 micrograms per gram of dry matter is due to the amount of harmful cadmium in
plants for human 0.1 microgram reported currently moderate in the tissues of rice above the limit and it is
harmful for human consumption.
Keywords: Spatial and temporal variation, Heavy metals, Wastewater, soil, rice
INTRODUCTION
3
Heavy metals are elements with the density of over 5 gr/cm . This definition is biologically useful, since it
covers many elements in the nature. But in physiological conditions only a small number of these elements can be
found in the liquid form, and therefore might be available for living cells. There are elements among them which are
important as micronutrients or trace elements (Iron, Zinc, Nickel, Magnesium, and Chromium) for plant metabolism,
also there are some elements which are toxic for plants when their amount in the growing environment exceeds the
normal limit(Adriano, 1986). There are other elements with unknown biologic role and high toxicity for plants
(Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Silver, and Arsenic). Destructive impacts of heavy metals release into nature are of
great interest, presently (Ramelow, 1992). Urban traffic, household wastes, and industrial Wastewater are
resources of these metals. Release of factory dust and ash from metal processing industries has led to pollution.
Heavy metal pollution in farms is the result of soil treatment with contaminated wastewater and excessive
application of phosphate fertilizers containing cadmium is a growing problem. Long term biological duration and
remaining in the soil lead to the accumulation of these metals in the food cycle and consequently potential negative
effect on human health (Lin and Schorr, 1977; Zimdahi and Skogerboo, 1997). Nickel is one of the heavy metals
th
which can be found abundantly in biosphere, and is the 24 element in earth crust, in terms of frequency in
comparison to other elements. Besides, Nickel is one of the most common metals in surface waters. It exists in
water systems in the form of absorbed soluble salts or with clay particles, organic or other materials. Nickel may be
deposited or stored in sediments via settling, building complexes, and absorption on clay particles, or it might be
absorbed by organisms. Little amounts of Nickel are required for creation of red blood cells in human body, but it
can be relatively toxic in higher amounts. It seems that in short term Nickel will not be harmful, but in long term it
can cause weight loss, damages to the heart and the leaver, and high sensitivity. Nickel can be accumulated in
aquatic but it will not be magnified in food chain. Most Nickel salts, entering the body through foods, are excreted.
Tech J Engin & App Sci., 3 (17): 2077-2082, 2013
Normal amount of Nickel in human body is about 7.3 grams per kilograms in average. The highest concentration of
Nickel is observed in bones, lungs, kidneys, and leaver. Nickel concentration in sea water is 0.1-0.5 Nano grams
per liter (Ramelow, 1992; Rohoan, 2006, and Rauret, 1998, Takijima et al., 1973).
Lead is also one of the heavy metals with 1 to 200 milligrams per kilogram concentration in soils and
average concentration of 15 milligrams per kilogram; its critical limit is 50 milligrams per kilogram (Lotfi, 1989,
World Health Organization, 1992).
Recycling and using urban Wastewater in crop product and development of green areas is one of the ways
to cope with water shortage in order to maintain and protect limited water resources, protect the environment and
finally agriculture development. Usually, the Wastewater of undeveloped cities with limited industry is less variety of
contamination, but toxic chemical components entering into Wastewater cannot be neglected (Matin
1995).Wastewater chemical quality of different cities, are different and generally depend on economic and social
condition and jobs and occupations in the city. Each member of urban society produces daily average of 150 liters
of waste eater, which enters into waste eater collecting system and includes toxic elements as well as some
nutrients for plants, but nutritious role of waste eaters are economically neutralized by heavy elements. Usually,
urban Wastewaters contain 20 to 60 grams per liter of organic material, 5 to 13 grams per liter of nitrogen, 0.5 to
4.5 grams per liter of Potassium. Besides, harmful micro-organisms, such as pathogens and carriers of epidemic
1
diseases are in these waters as well; according to WHO data, four fifth of diseases of people in developing
countries originates from contaminated water (Torabian and Baghorei, 1995 ; Matin, 1995).
Research done by Mostashari showed that application of industrial waste eater in Qazvin(Iran) farms
increased the concentration of Lead, Cadmium, Copper, and Zink up to several times more than standard limit in
the soil and crops (Mostasharei, 2002). The results of Torabian and Mahjoori researches in 2002 showed that the
Cadmium contamination range in southern Tehran farms is 0.101 to 7.54 milligrams per kilograms of soil, and in
crops is 0.398 to 2.437 milligrams per kilograms of dry weight of the crop, which is higher than standard amount for
human consumption. As an example the concentration of Cadmium in lettuce in Varamin region is 2.1 milligrams
per kilograms of the weight of the plant, while its standard limit is 0.1 milligrams per kilograms of the weight of the
plant (Torabian and Mahjoori, 2003). Not only there are diseasing microorganisms in urban Wastewater, but also
toxic heavy metals can be found in abundance. It is better to determine type and concentration of heavy elements
in parts of urban Wastewater and compare it with existing standards, before using it for irrigation (Table 1).
Table 1. Standard Limit of Heavy Metals in Farming Soils (mg/ha)
Element
Zn
Cu
Cr
Pb
Ni
Cd
Hg
Germany Standard
5000
2000
2000
2000
330
33
42
Swiss standard
7500
2500
2500
2500
500
75
25
Heavy metals in soils poison plants and also affect microorganisms and their action (Bolan et al. 2003).
Cadmium has been receiving more attention among heavy metals in the soil, since it can cause chronic lung
disease, osteoporosis and brittle bones, and swelling of the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, if it
enters the human food cycle through contaminated water, soil or plants. Poisonous effects of this element occur in
human body in the case of continuous consumption of plants with more than three milligrams per kilograms of
Cadmium (Torabian and Mahjoori, 2003; Rezakhani, 2001). Generally, the concentration of Cadmium in
uncontaminated soils is less than 0.1 milligrams per kilograms, while its critical concentration in contaminated soils
is between 1.5 to 2.5 milligrams per kilograms of soil (Adriano, 1986).
Studies about drinking water reservoirs and resources, located in downstream of mine areas in Italy, showed that
there is a great amount of Cadmium, Lead, and Copper in different branches of rivers in the area due to discharge
of mine drainage into them. Besides, a high amount of these metals were found in river sediments (Ramelow
1992). Studies, carried out in contaminated areas of southern Louisiana in USA, on environmental changes of Zink,
Copper, Nickel, Iron, Lead, Chromium, Aluminum, Cadmium, and Silver showed that the amount of these metals in
surface sediments of rivers of the area is higher than deep sediments. According to these studies, urban
Wastewater mostly increased the discharged heavy metal load into environment (Morishita, 1991). Kafilzadeh et al.
1
- World Health Organization
2078
Tech J Engin & App Sci., 3 (17): 2077-2082, 2013
showed in their studies on Shiraz dry River that industrial Wastewater, urban waste, metal waste of marginal
workshops and repair shops were the origin of heavy metals in this river (Kafilzade et al., 2007).
Cadmium is naturally in surface and groundwater resources. This element may be found in the form of
hydrate ion or complicated mineral components such as carbonate, hydroxide, chloride, sulfate, and also organic
components with humic acid. Cadmium enters aquatic ecosystems through soil and bed rock erosion,
contaminated atmospheric sediments from industrial factories, Wastewater from contaminated areas, and usage of
sludge and fertilizer in agriculture. Sediment of rivers and lakes contain 0.2 to 0.9 milligrams per liter of Cadmium
and it is less than 0.1 milligrams per liter in fresh waters. The concentration of Cadmium in phosphorous fertilizers
is the function of phosphate rock, from which the fertilizer has been made. Besides, the characteristics of the soil
such as pH, type and amount of clay, the amount of organic material, soil solution components, and plant residues
are effective in Cadmium accumulation (Torabian et al., 2003). Usually, Cadmium is absorbed by plant’s roots and
enters slowly into stem and leaves; its transport from leaves into fruit is insignificant. So, vegetables and plant
organs being fed from Cadmium contaminated soils or Wastewater are very harmful. Maximum standard amount of
Cadmium in crops has been reported 0.1 milligrams per kilograms (Khani et al., 2001; Barzegar et al., 2002).
2
FAO and WHO set the acceptable weekly absorption of Cadmium 420 micrograms for each adult with 60
kilograms weight (Wagner 1993). For the first time in 1963 some researchers reported contamination of chemical
fertilizers with some heavy metals, especially Cadmium as a dangerous factor for human health and environment
(FAO Water Reports, No.10). Researchers believe that the cause of Etai-Etai syndrome in Japan is related to
irrigating rice farms with Cadmium contaminated water. There are also reports about accumulation of Cadmium in
crops, especially rice and potato in Iran (Khani et al., 2001; Malakoutei et al., 2005). According to the researches of
Wagner the Cadmium contamination in lettuce, spinach, celery, and potato is high, but it is lower for plants like
bean, corn, and pea (USEPA, 1981).
Studies of Morishtia (1991) showed that the rice, planted in soil with 0.4 to 0.5 milligrams per kilograms of
Cadmium, produced the crop with Cadmium concentration of 0.08 milligrams per kilograms of dry weight, and
application of water with Cadmium concentration of about 5 milligrams per liter to irrigate rice, produced crops with
1.6 milligrams per liter of dry weight (Lin and Schorr, 1977).
The concentration of Cadmium in crops should not be higher than the standard limit, but crops such as
fruits and vegetables which are irrigated with Wastewater or located besides roads are contaminated to Cadmium
and Lead; sometimes these contaminations pollute leaves’ surfaces in the form of a cover and eating them fresh
may increase the level of consumed Cadmium and Lead in human more than standard limit, consequently, control
and knowledge of the concentration of these contaminations is inevitable (Matin, 1995; Mostasharei, 2002).
Thus, for the purpose of studying the spatial and temporal changes of some heavy metals including
Cadmium, Lead, and Nickel in Khoram Abad River farms area, and also the way these spatial and temporal
changes influence on the rice, being produced in the area. Research was carried out in completely randomized
blocks plan in four spatial treatments in marginal farms of Khoram Abad River, and three temporal repetition in
May,July and September.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
The study area begins from southwest of Khoram Abad City and ends in Khoram Abad Airport. The area
has warm and dry summers, and cold wet winters; the wet season begins from November and ends in May;
Average annual precipitation of 516 millimeters and maximum precipitation of 78.1 millimeters in April has been
reported in the area.
Khoram Abad River originates from northern mountains of the city and after passing through the length of
the plain, in Cham Mehr enters into Karkheh River. The river pH varies from 7.5 to 8.1. The maximum river
discharge has been reported in April and May and the minimum one in September and October (Cham Anjir
Station Report (1994) & Research Annual Report (1993)). Groundwater resources include Changaee Spring and
deep wells with 7.4 pH and electrical conductivity of 0.57 ds/m. These soils have horizons of calcic, cambi , and
ochric which declares the movement of Lime and its accumulation in lower layers of soil (Soil Studies, Lorestan
Province, 1995, and Soil Studies, Khoram Abad Agricultural Co., 1996).
In this research, first the soil maps and related reports were studied, and four random points were selected,
by surveying the rice farms and identifying those being irrigated from river in several years. One out of these four
points which was irrigated from well was chosen as the witness point (Figure 1). In order to study the spatial and
2
- Food and Agriculture Organization
2079
Tech J Engin & App Sci., 3 (17): 2077-2082, 2013
temporal heavy elements, this research was caried out in the form of completely random blocks plan in four spatial
treatments in Khoram Abad City exit (treatment A), Gilvran Village (treatment B), Airport (treatment C) and town
(treatment D), and three temporal iteration in May, July and September. In each iteration 5 soil samples was taken
from 50 to 100 meters spaces and depth of 0 to 30 centimeters of each place, then the samples were mixed
together and at the end a sample with 2 kilograms weight was produced and transferred to the lab (mixed sample).
Then the extract was produced from soil and rice samples through Nitric Acid solution method (Technical Report
No. 893) and the concentration of Lead, Nickel, and Cadmium in the samples was measured by Shimadzu atomic
absorption instrument (Tables 2, 3, and 4).
Test site
Keio water resource
Khoramabad
River
Figure 1. The location of the Area and Study Sites
Table 2.Measured Concentrations of Cadmium (micrograms in grams of soil) in Different Treatments and Iterations
Treatment
R1
R2
R3
Mean
A
0.19
0.21
0.16
0.187
B
0.18
0.18
0.16
0.173
C
0.19
0.20
0.17
0.187
D
0.11
0.10
0.10
0.103
Table 3. Measured Concentrations of Lead (micrograms in grams of soil) in Different Treatments and Iterations
Treatment
R1
R2
R3
Mean
A
0.42
0.44
0.28
0.38
B
0.14
0.27
0.13
0.18
C
0.11
0.12
0.10
0.11
D
0
0.03
0
0.01
Table 4. Measured Concentrations of Nickel (micrograms in grams of soil) in Different Treatments and Iterations
Treatment
R1
R2
R3
Mean
A
1.42
1.56
1.32
1.43
B
1.45
1.58
1.41
1.48
C
1.44
1.52
1.38
1.45
D
1.12
1.13
1.1
1.12
2080
Tech J Engin & App Sci., 3 (17): 2077-2082, 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Electric conductivity of the saturated extract of soils was the minimum in the witness and maximum in the
rice farms, the average minimum and maximum was 0.56 and 1.97 ds/m, respectively. Saturated extract of soils’
pH in witness lands was 7.28 and 8.4 in other treatments. The minimum percentage of organic material was related
to the witness lands (1.6 percent) and the maximum one to the rice farms (3 percent). In order to study the spatial
and temporal changes of Nickel, Lead, and Cadmium, the two way variance analysis test was carried out; tables 5,
6, and 7 show the results. These results showed that spatial changes of Nickel (Table 5), Cadmium (Table 6), and
Lead (Table 7) were meaningful in one percent level.
Table 5. Variance Analysis for Nickel
Source
Repeat
Treatment
Residual Error
Sum
DF
2
3
6
11
SS
0.04
0.26
0.01
0.31
MS
0.021
0.086
0.002
F
10.43
41.92
P
0.0112
0.0002**
**Significant level is 0.01
Table 6. Variance Analysis for Cadmium
Source
Repeat
Treatment
Residual Error
Sum
DF
2
3
6
11
SS
0.00
0.01
0.00
0.02
MS
0.001
0.005
0.00
F
6.30
43.08
P
0.0336
0.0002**
**Significant level is 0.01
Table 7.Variance Analysis for Lead
Source
Repeat
Treatment
Residual Error
Sum
DF
2
3
6
11
SS
0.02
0.22
0.01
0.25
MS
0.008
0.073
0.002
F
3.58
34.27
P
0.0946
0.0004**
**Significant level is 0.01
The average concentration of Cadmium was 0.1 micrograms per grams of soil in the witness treatment,
irrigated by well, and from 0.187 to 0.173 micrograms per grams of soil, and near each other, for other treatments,
irrigated by river water. The average concentration of Nickel was 1.12 micrograms per grams of soil in the witness
treatment, and varied from 1.43 to 1.48 micrograms per grams of soil for other treatments. According to the Duncan
test there was not a meaningful difference in the level of one percent between treatments which were irrigated from
the river, but there was a meaningful difference between them and the witness treatment (Table 8). The average
concentration of Lead was 0.01 micrograms per grams of soil in the witness treatment, and varied from 0.11 to 0.38
micrograms per grams of soil for other treatments.
Table 8.The Results of Average Comparison of Different Treatments with Duncan Test in the Level of One Percent
Treatment
A
B
C
D
Lead
a
b
bc
c
Nicle
0.38
0.18
0.11
0.01
a
a
a
b
1.48
1.45
1.43
1.1
Common letters in each column indicate no significant differences between them
The results of Duncan test in the level of one percent showed that there is a meaningful difference
between the witness treatment and other ones, irrigated from the river (Table 8). Based on the Cadmium variance
analysis table, with the zero test error for this test, the Duncan test was not possible. There is not a meaningful
spatial change for all the three elements of Nickel, Lead, and Cadmium, on the other hand no significant changes
in the concentration of these elements in the studied soils was observed during the studied time period.
Average Cadmium concentration in rice farms’ soil was 0.182 micrograms per grams of soil or 663
grams per hectare, which is very high in comparison with the German and Swiss standards where the
concentration of 33 and 75 grams of Cadmium is permitted respectively (Table 1). Also, the average concentration
2081
Tech J Engin & App Sci., 3 (17): 2077-2082, 2013
of Cadmium in the rice was 0.115 micrograms per grams of dry material which was not higher than the maximum
limit, regarding that the natural range of concentration of this element in plant tissue which has been reported from
0.3 to 0.4 micrograms per grams of dry material, but it is worrying. Besides, the concentration of 0.1 micrograms
per grams has been reported as the harmful amount of Cadmium in the plants for human beings, and the average
Cadmium concentration in rice was higher than this limit.
With increase of Cadmium concentration in soil, its concentration in plants increase as well, and due to its
harm for human being and threat to his health, the obligation of scientific agricultural management by operational
organizations to minimize the environmental impacts of Cadmium seems inevitable. The results showed that in the
study area spatial changes of Cadmium, Lead, and Nickel were meaningful, but their temporal changes were not.
Irrigating with water from Wastewater contaminated river led to accumulation of Cadmium in soil and rice; its
concentration in rice is more than the standard limit. The results of this research were similar to those of Adriano,
1986; Kani et al., 2000; Morishtina, 1991; Cherati and Malakoti, 2004; Malakoti et al., 2000 and Takijima et al.,
1973.
REFERENCES
Adriano DC .1986 . Trace elements in Theterres trial environment. Springer ,Verlag , New York.
Barzegar A, Kochazade A. 2002. The cadmium in soils under sugarcane cultivation in Khuzestan, Science and Technology Journal of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Volume V Number 2.
Binemotlagh P. 1981. Determination of heavy metals in sources of pollution to the river Zrchvb. Master's thesis. Faculty of Tehran University
of Medical Sciences.
Bolan NS, Adriano BC, Mani PA .2003 . Immobilization and phytoavailibility of cadmium in variable charge soils . II .Effec of lime addition
.Plant and soil .251 : PP. 187-198.
Cheraghei A, Malakoutei MC. 2005. Need to reduce emissions of cadmium and nitrate in paddy north of the country (Study on Zinck and
cadmium effects on growth and chemical composition of rice). Books balanced nutrition of rice. Senate Publications. Ministry of
Agriculture Department of Agriculture.
Dai JT, Becquer JH, Rouiller G, Rwversat F, Bernhard Reversat J, Nahmani P .2004 . Influence of heavy metals on C and N mineralization
and microbial biomass in Zn , Pb , Cu and Cd contaminated soils. Applied soil Ecology .25 ,PP. 99 – 109.
FAO Water Reports, 10, Quality Control of wastewater for Irrigated crop production.
Iranian Soil and Water Research Institute.1993. describes methods of soil analysis, Technical Bulletin No. 893.
Iranian Soil and Water Research Institute.1997.Technical repot of Soil studies, Lorestan Province.
Iranian Soil and Water Research Institute.1999.Company agronomic soil science investigations Khorramabad.
Kafilzade F, Kargar M, Kadivar A. 2007. Concentrations of cadmium, zinc, copper, iron and nickel in a dry river near Shiraz city and some
agricultural products. Environmental science and technology, Volume VIII, Number 4.
Khani M, Malakouti MJ, Shrieat SM. 2001. Changes of cadmium in paddy soils and rice in the north of the country. Journal of soil and water
research institute of water and soil. Special Issue on Sustainable Agriculture, Volume 12, Number 9. Pages 19 to 26.
Lin , Schorr . 1977 . A Challenger for the Phosphate industry : Cd removal . Phosphorous and Potassium .208 :PP . 27-31.
Malakoutei MC, Baiburdi A, Tabatabai SC. 2005. Fertilizer efficiency and effective step to improve performance and reduce emissions produced
vegetable health promotion. Applied Agricultural Science Publishers. Pages 19 to 30.
Manouchehri H, Nekoian A, Valinasab T, Bahadorinejad F, Majedi M, Changizi R, Jafarian Moghadam A. 2005. Effects of lead and cadmium in
water, sediment and macro benthic communities in Khorzangi in the Persian Gulf. Journal of Fisheries. Second year. Number Two.
Matin A. 1995. Solution to the shortage of irrigation with sewage water. Journal of Construction Research, No.25.
Morishita T. 1991. "Environmental hazard of sewage and industrial effluents on irrigated farmlands in Japan.” In: Pescod MB, Arar A, eds.
Treatment and use of sewage effluent for Irrigation, Kent, Butterworths.
Mostasharei M. 2002. Intensity and spread heavy metal pollution of soil and crops irrigated with wastewater in Qazvin Province. Proceedings of
the Seventh International Congress of Soil Science, Shahrekord University. Pages 152-165.
Ramelow R. 1992. The identification of point sources of heavy metals in industrially impacted water way by periphyton and surface sediment
monitoring. Water Air and Soil Pollution.Vol. 65, No. 157, pp.527-641.
Rauret G. 1998. Determination and specification of copper and lead in sediments of Mediterranean river (River Tenes, Catalonia, Spain)
.Water. Res .Vol . 22, No.449, pp.83-96.
Rezakhani M. 2001. Study on phosphorus by cadmium in paddy soils north of Iran. Soil and Water Journal, Volume 12. # 9.
Rohoan D. 2006. Evalation and optimuyion elimination Zn, Ni, Cd, Pb wastewater by fern. Ph.D thesis, pp. 2 -3.
Sahbqdm Lotfi A. 1989. Lead poisoning due to its metabolism. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran.
Takijima YF, Katsumi, Takezawa K. 1973 .cadmium contamination of soils and rice plants caused by zinc mining. II soil condition of
contaminated paddy fields which influence heavy metal contents of rice .soilsci . Plant .Nutr .19 : PP. 173-182.
Torabian A, Mahjoori M. 2003. Effect of Wastewater irrigation on heavy metal uptake by leaf vegetables in southern Tehran, Journal of Soil
and Water Sciences, 16 (2). Pages 39-52.
Torabian A, Baghorei.1995. Study of pollution from urban and industrial wastes on agricultural lands south of Tehran, Tehran University Journal
of Environmental Studies - No. 18. Pages 33-45.
USEPA.1981. Land treatment of municipal wastewater, United States Environmental Protection Agency(EPA 625/1-81/013), Washington, DC.
Wagner GJ .1993 . Accumulation of cadmium in crop plants and consequences to human health . Adv .Agron .51 :PP. 173-212.
West Regional Water Corporation,Iran.1995. The station reported Chamanjir.
WHO(World Health Organization) . 1992 . Environmental Health criteria .134 .cadmium .IPCS .Geneva .
Zimdahi RL, Skogerboo RK.1997 . Behavior of Lead in soil .Environ .sci .Technol. 11:PP. 1202-1207.
2082