Heavy and Toxic Metals in Staple Foodstuffs and Agriproducts From Contaminated Soils

This study presents basic data on the contents of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Pb in staple foodstuffs and agriproducts grown in Russia (Astrakhansaia region and Belovo town) and Egypt (Helwan region). The dependence of the concentration of metals in agriproducts on the content and chemical form of existence in irrigation water and soils is indicated. The existence of high concentrations of heavy and toxic metals in food and agriproducts depends on the extent of soil contamination in the area, the quality of water used for irrigation purposes and the technology of growing and processing of a given product. The concentration of heavy and toxic metals in agriproducts directly depends on the chemical form of their existence in the soil, high concentrations of heavy metals if present as low mobility compounds in the soil, do not affect essentially their concentrations in plants. High content of some toxic metals (Cd, Hg, Pb) in livestock nutrition plants may prompt the conclusion that similar high concentration of the elements are in the livestock output such as red or white meat and eggs. It is hardly probable, however, that there is instant dependence between them. This problem needs further investigation. The irrigation of agricultural lands with sewage water of a plant, or even more, of a whole region must be done with great caution. The experience of the Helwan region shows this kind of irrigation results in a dramatic increase of the concentration of heavy and toxic metals in end products