Effect of Various
Environmental and Social Diverse Locations on Heavy Metal Accumulation in Selected
Medicinal Plants of Northern Region of India
Gulia Divya, Sharma Praveen and Bansal Parveen
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(11); 28-40;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/2911rjce028040; (2025)
Abstract
This study aims to measure the heavy metal concentration in soil and frequently
used medicinal plants collected from various environmental locations, while evaluating
the influence of these sites on the mineral composition of the plants. Plant and
soil samples of Calotropis procera, Euphorbia hirta, Achyranthes aspera, Cynodon
dactylon and Argemone mexicana were collected from four different environmental
locations of the northern region of India namely: Thermal power plant (TPP), Industrial
area (IA), Brick kiln (BK) and Heavy traffic area (HTA). Essential metals i.e. Mn,
Fe, Co, Zn and potentially toxic metals i.e. Cr, Ni, Cd, Hg and Pb were quantified
in soil and plant samples using Atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and subsequently
compared.
The highest concentration of iron (Fe) (70.8±0.02 ppm) was found in soil from the
thermal power plant area. The most toxic heavy metal lead (Pb) (8.3± 0.01ppm) and
cadmium (Cd) (0.1±0.001ppm) were observed highest from Heavy traffic area sites
in Calotropis procera and Euphorbia hirta respectively, although found in permissible
limit of 10 and 0.3 ppm respectively set by WHO (World Health Organisation) for
herbal products. The concentration of Hg remained below detection limit in all tested
samples. There is a significant variation in plant location and heavy metal concentration
(P≤0.05). Heavy metals were found below permissible limits in all tested samples.
However, continuous consumption of some toxic metals can lead to accumulation in
the body. Therefore, in order to prevent health risks, it is recommended that cultivation
of medicinal plants should be prohibited near environmentally polluted site especially
heavy traffic area.
