A quantitative analysis of essential heavy metals (iron, copper, zinc and manganese) in soils and vegetables grown at Machi sub-division, Tengnoupal District, Manipur

This study measured levels of essential heavy metals Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) in soils and four Seasonal vegetables of Squash (Cucurbit, family cucurbitaceae, local name Daskus), Pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo, family Cucurbitaceae local name Mairen), Pea (Pisum Sativum, family Fabaceae, local name Hawai Tharak) and Potato (Solanum Tuberosum, family Solanaceae, local name Aloo) during 2023-2024 vegetative period. Potentially toxic elements are non-biodegradable and their presence in small amounts can cause toxicity to human and animals lives. Plants and soil samples were collected from four differents sites in Machi-Sub-division (Machi, Langol, Khunbi Tuinem and Kangoi Khullen), Tengnoupal District, Manipur. Heavy metals can pose threat to human live if their presence exceed the maximum permissible limits, when the vegetables are taken as a livelihood foodstuff. Atomic absorption spectroscopic method was used for the analysis of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn in these vegetables. Concentration of Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn were less than the permissible limit however, in average metal concentration pattern in vegetables was Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn. Vegetables growing under soils containing higher amount of metals could be transferred into edible parts of the plant, so study area should be monitored regularly to avoid health risk of human being due to exposure of toxic level.