Ecological Risk Factor, Contamination Factorand Bioconcentration Factor of Heavy Metalsin Vegetables Grown on Polluted Soils in Kosovo

The accumulation of heavy metals in plants is a serious environmental and health problem, especially in regions near industrial facilities, smelters, and mines.The aim of this study is to assess the environmental risks of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) contamination in different types of vegetables.For this purpose, the bioconcentration factor (BCf), contamination factor (Cf), and ecological risk factor (Erf) were analyzed in vegetable samples collected from regions close (Zvecan and Frasher) and further (Polac) from the smelter.Heavy metal analysis was performed with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in onion, garlic, and potatoes from these areas.The concentration of Cd and Pb in the analyzed vegetables from the Zvecan and Frasher is high and above the allowable limit, while in the Polac region, Cd and Pb were not detected.The highest concentrations of Cd and Ni were determined in garlic, fresh weight (0.134 mg/kg; 14.32 mg/kg; 5.982 mg/kg and 32.951 mg/kg, respectively), and for Pb in potatoes, fresh weight (0.555 mg/kg).According to BCf, onion accumulates the most Cd, garlic accumulates the most Ni, and potatoes accumulate the most Pb.According to the contamination factor (Cf) in the areas of Zvecan and Frasher, there is a very high level of contamination by Cd and Pb.Significantly, very high ecological risk for Cd is in the regions of Frasher and Zvecan, and for Pb in the region of Zvecan.The results of the concentration of the analyzed metals in vegetables correspond to the results of contamination from environmental risks.