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The Impact of Phosphorus Fertilizers on Heavy Metals Content of Soils and Vegetables Grown on Selected Farms in Jordan

Asad M F AlKhader

A survey was conducted to investigate the levels of Cd, Pb and As heavy metals in soils, leafy vegetables (lettuce plant), and irrigation water in areas characterized by intensive agricultural activities in Jordan. Thirteen farms from three locations (Jordan Valley, Alyadoda, and Jarash) were selected for this purpose. Ten P fertilizers that are most widely used by farmers were also collected and analyzed for heavy metals content. The results indicated that the lettuce, used as an indicator plant for possible vegetables contamination with heavy metals, was within allowable levels of Cd and Pb of 0.2 and 0.3 mg kg-1 of fresh weight for leafy vegetables, respectively. The plant was, also, safe with respect to As as the level of this metalloid was much less than the established acceptable concentration of 1 mg kg-1 fresh weight. The results suggested that the most probable sources of the heavy metals (Cd and Pb) and metalloid (As) in the collected samples of soils and plant from the selected farms were soil parent materials and pesticides application. Long term P fertilizers additions are, also, likely sources of heavy metals in agricultural soils and crops. This implies a risk to the human health and environment in the future is expected.