Özet:

Concentrations of some heavy metals in mature fruits of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) grown at Fodugora Farm, Weliso Town (Ethiopia) and Ribu River effluent water, used for its irrigation, have been determined using flame atomic absorption spectroscopic (FAAS) technique. Whereas, the levels of Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) and Lead (Pb) in tomato fruits were: 34.05, 4.05 and 1.32 mg/kg respectively, their concentrations in the river effluent water samples were: 95.86, 37.72 and 6.27 mg/L, respectively. The concentrations of Cadmium (Cd) in the studied tomato fruits and irrigating water samples were below the detection limit (0.005 mg/L). Whereas, the Fe and Pb contents of studied tomato fruit as well as water samples were above their respective tolerance limits recommended by FAO and WHO, the levels of Zn and Cd were within their safe limits. A comparison of heavy metal concentrations in the studied systems with the corresponding data reported in the literature is given.

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