The assessment of heavy metal and radionuclide levels in spinach (spinacia oleracea) grown at Bahi wetlands in Dodoma region using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

This study reports on determination of concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides inSpinach (Spinaciaoleracea) grown in Bahi wetlands. Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea) samples were collected from three zones of Bahi wetlands namely Norther zone (NZ),Central zone (CZ) and Southern zone (SZ). The concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides in the edible part of Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea) samples were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (EDXRF).All Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea) samples were found to have higher concentrations of Pb, Cd and Mn than the maximum tolerable limits recommended by WHO/FAO. The results show that, the mean activities of radionuclides in Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea) are low compared to the maximum tolerable limits (1000 Bq/kg) recommended by WHO/FAO. Mean concentration of Pb (86.62 µg/g), Cd (12.8µg/g) and Mn (367.2 µg/g) in Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea)collected from Bahi wetlands were observed to be higher than the safe limit of (0.2μg/g), (0.02 µg/g)and (0.3µg/g) respectively set by WHO/FAO. Therefore, Spinach (Spinaciaoleracea) grown in Bahi wetlands can expose people to toxic elements which are detrimental to their health.A more detailed study involving more data is needed to establish conclusive results.