| dc.contributor.author | Bilalo, Somo Q | |
| dc.contributor.author | Andayi, Andrew A | |
| dc.contributor.author | Njagi, Eric C | |
| dc.contributor.author | Ptoton, Brian M | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-05-09T06:05:16Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-05-09T06:05:16Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-04 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 2349-5138 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://ijrar.org/viewfull.php?&p_id=IJRAR24B2388 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://repository.mut.ac.ke:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/6438 | |
| dc.description.abstract | The contamination of agricultural products by harmful heavy metals poses a significant global health concern, with potential links to severe public health issues such as cancer and neural impairment. Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculent Mill.), a dietary staple, can absorb and store both essential micronutrients and potentially harmful heavy metals, particularly in their consumable parts. This study investigated the concentration of cadmium, lead, copper, and chromium in tomatoes and corresponding soil samples from Kirinyaga County, Kenya. A total of 27 tomatoes and 27 soil samples were randomly collected from farms in three ecological zones of Kirinyaga County. Elemental analysis was performed using Microwave Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPAES). The mean concentrations of heavy metals in soil samples ranged from; cadmium: 0.0100±0.100 to 0.1133±0.0667, lead: 0.0570±0.0566 to 0.667±0.0367, copper: 0.8667±0.273 to 1.9±0.0577 and chromium 0.0670±0.0600 to 1.333±0.040 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in tomatoes ranged from; cadmium: 0.00367±0.003 to 0.00867±0.01, lead: 0.00133±0.003 to 0.00667±0.02, copper: 0.00667±0.02 to 0.0667±0.003 and chromium: below detection limit to 0.027±0.035 mg/kg. The concentrations of the heavy metals in soils and tomatoes were significantly lower than the maximum concentrations set by the WHO/FAO. The concentrations of the aforementioned heavy metals in soils were significantly lower than their global background concentrations in soils. | en_US |
| dc.language.iso | en | en_US |
| dc.publisher | International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews (IJRAR) | en_US |
| dc.subject | Heavy metals, tomatoes, soil, bioaccumulation factor | en_US |
| dc.title | Concentrations of Selected Heavy Metals in Soil and Tomatoes (Lycopersicon Esculenta Mill.) Grown in Kirinyaga County, Kenya | en_US |
| dc.type | Article | en_US |
