Heavy metals concentration of irrigation water, soils and fruit vegetables in Kota Bharu area,Kelantan, Malaysia

This study was conducted to evaluate the levels of selected heavy metals in
irrigation water, soils and selected fruit vegetables which were cultivated in coastal
village and industrial area (light and medium industry) in Kota Bharu, Kelantan,
Malaysia. Results obtained showed that, water used for irrigation in both site had the
highest concentration of Boron followed by Manganese, Iron and other parameters.
However, in general, the quality of irrigation water complied with the Class IV, Interim
National Water Quality Standard for Malaysia, INWQS, 1985 (standard for irrigation
water) except Boron, Cadmium and Manganese. The irrigation water results were also
compared with the Indian Standard, where in general, all the measured parameters
complied with the standards except Cadmium and Manganese. Meanwhile, the
concentration of heavy metals in soils for both site also complied with the Indian
Standard. In addition, the concentration of Aluminium, Iron, Boron, Zinc, Manganese,
Lead and Cadmium in the vegetables for both site ranged from 0.071 – 0.22 ppm, 0.65
– 2.76 ppm, 2.1 – 2.467 ppm, 0.163 – 0.32 ppm, 0.04 – 1.2 ppm, 0.0127 – 0.268 ppm
and 0.0482 – 0.1123 ppm respectively. All heavy metals analyzed in vegetables also
complied with the Indian Standard, World Health Organization and EU Standards.