Trace metals in vegetable growing area, western region of central Thailand

Authors

  • Tawatchai Inboonchuay Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
  • Chaisit Thongjoo Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
  • Pongpet Pongsivapai Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1508-1953

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2025.122.7001

Keywords:

central Thailand, food safety, soil pollution, trace metals, vegetable

Abstract

This study investigated the trace metal concentrations in the agricultural area on diverse soil parent materials in the western part of central, Thailand. The soils of 84 areas under vegetable cultivation were sampled. The results revealed that the median concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo, and Zn are lower than that of the background concentration of heavy metals in Thailand based on the standard of the National Environment Board 2021, whereas the maximum concentrations of As and Cr in some soils were higher than the soil quality standard. Principal component analysis showed that clay, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, and As were correlated with clay content in a positive way except for Cd. The general levels of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in edible parts of vegetables are within permissible limits for human food. The median concentration of As, Cd, Ni, and Pb in vegetables is higher than the WHO/FAO maximum permissible limits. Besides, the Fe, Mn, and Zn are most abundant in Chinese flowering cabbage. As, Cd, Ni, and Pb are more abundant in Chinese kale, Chinese cabbage, and cabbage. The maximum concentration of trace metals in some areas is of concern for both food safety and human health.

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Submitted

26-08-2024

Accepted

20-10-2024

Published

01-01-2025

How to Cite

Inboonchuay, T., Thongjoo, C., & Pongsivapai, P. (2025). Trace metals in vegetable growing area, western region of central Thailand . Journal of Degraded and Mining Lands Management, 12(2), 7001–7008. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2025.122.7001

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Research Article

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