Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess the Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr)
concentrations in Centella asiatica (Gotukola) harvested from chemical fertilizer applied
irrigated cultivation sites in Padaviya area in Anuradhapura District during rainy and dry
seasons. In the present study, Cd, Pb and Cr were selected as they are the mostly concerned
heavy metals associated with the chronic kidney disease prevalent in the Padaviya area during
the past decade. The area contained sandy loam soil and has been using chemical fertilizers for
more than 10 years. Heavy metal concentrations in soil (Cdsoil, Crsoil, Pbsoil), roots (Cdroot,
Crroot, Pbroot), and leaves (Cdleaves, Crleaves, Pbleaves) of Centrella asiatica were analyzed
using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (graphite furnace method) after acid digestion. The
heavy metal concentrations during the rainy and dry seasons were compared using student t test at 95% level of significance to assess the seasonal variation of heavy metal concentrations.
MINITAB 14 software was used for statistical analysis. Only mean Cdsoil, Cdleaves and Pbroot
during dry season (0.21±0.05, 0.72 ± 0.11 and 0.59 ± 0.12 mg/kg) were significantly lower than
that of the rainy season (3.40±0.60, 2.61±0.53 and 2.35 ± 0.46 mg/kg) among selected metals.
The mean Crsoil, Crroot, Crleaves, Cdroot, and Pbleaves concentrations in dry season
(23.20±4.15, 12.76 ± 3.19, 7.34±1.28, 0.96 ± 0.10, 1.85±0.69 mg/kg) was significantly higher
than that of the rainy season (22.44±4.21 , 8.04 ± 0.90 , 6.09±0.46, 0.60 ± 0.13, 1.75±0.50
mg/kg). However, mean Pbsoil during the dry season (3.40±0.60 mg/kg) was significantly lower
than that of the rainy season (4.93±0.80 mg/kg). Soil heavy metal concentrations were below
the EU recommended safe limits (Pb:300 mg/kg; Cr: 180 mg/kg; Cd:6.4 mg/kg) during both
sampling events. The mean metal concentrations of leaves exceeded the WHO/FAO safety limits
for consumption of green leafy vegetables during both sampling events. (Cd: 0.2 mg/kg, Cr: 2.3
mg/kg and Pb: 0.3 mg/kg). Mean metal concentrations followed the pattern Cr>Pb>Cd in all
plant parts and soil during both seasons. The mean bio-concentration factor of the heavy metals
followed the order Cd > Pb> Cr during both seasons. The mean translocation factor indicated
accumulation of Cr and Cd in the roots of C. asiatica and accumulation of Pb in the leaves of C.
asiatica. Variations in the concentrations of the heavy metals in C. asiatica in this study can be
ascribed to the chemical and physical characteristics of the soil of the cultivation sites due to
long term fertilizer application, atmospheric deposition of heavy metals and the deposition of
contaminated irrigation water.
