Accrual of Some Toxic Metals and Metalloids in Two Commonly Used Vegetables Irrigated with Fly Ash Wastewater Around Badarpur Thermal Power Plant in Delhi, India

Background: Accumulation of different metals and metalloids was assessed in two commonly used vegetable radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Carrot (Daucus carota L.) irrigated with Fly ash wastewater in the peri-urban area of Badarpur Delhi, India. Method: In general, the metal and metalloid concentrations in radish and Carrot were higher at site-II irrigated with fly ash waste water than those found at Site-I irrigated with canal water. In the case of radish at both sites, the levels of metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, and Pb) were below the acceptable level except those of Mn, Ni, Mo, Cd, and Pb. At both sites, the transfer factor oscillated from 0.047-228.3 mg kg-1 with Cr having the highest transfer factor. Result: The metal pollution index in soil was found in the following order: As > Fe > Ni > Zn > Cd > Mo > Se > Co > Pb > Mn > Cr > Cu, respectively. While in the case of Carrot at both sites, the concentrations of metals and metalloids in vegetable samples irrigated with canal and fly ash waste water were observed below the allowable level except Mn, Ni, Zn, Mo, and Pb. At both sites, the transfer factor vacillated from 0.038-245.4 mg kg-1 with Cr having the highest transfer factor. Conclusion: The metal pollution index in soil was reported in the following order: Cd > Ni > Co > Se > Mn > Zn > Mo > Pb > Fe > Cr > As > Cu, respectively.