Abstract

                                The present investigation was carried out to assess the Bio-Concentration Factor (BCF) and Transformation Factor (TF) of trace metals from soil to plant in selected irrigation fields around Tummalapalle Uranium mining site, Pulivendula, YSR (Kadapa) district, A.P. Out of five irrigated fields, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) was cultivated in four sites and onion (Allium cepa) was cultivated in one site. The soil samples and plant samples including tomato fruits and onion bulbs were analyzed for trace metals using Inductive Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The soil samples were also subjected to the analyses of texture, pH, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity. The BCF and TF of K, P, Mg, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Se, Tl, Zn, As, Cd and Pb from soils to different plant parts (root, stem, leaf and fruits) were calculated. BCF of Pb(172), Cu(85.45), K(47.78), P(14.05), Ca(5.55), B(10.86), Mg(2.92) and Zn(8.22) were found to be > 1, which reveals more accumulation of heavy metals like Pb, Cu and trace metals like K, P, Ca, B, Mg and Zn in plant parts. Recording of BCF of Fe (0.12), Mn(0.04) and Mo(0.14) as < 1 indicates , that these metal ions do not accumulate in the plants.

Key words : Trace metals, Soil, Plant, ICP-OES, Transfer factor, Bio-concentration factor.