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Abstract
The presence of toxic metals in residential areas near abandoned gold mine tailings is a major environmental issue. This study mainly aimed to investigate the elemental distribution of both toxic and essential elements in soils and leafy vegetables (Brassica oleracea) collected from eight different sites around the Davidsonville residential area, located closer to the abandoned Princess gold mine dump, Johannesburg, South Africa. The nutritional value of vegetables in the human diet was determined to assess their value to their health. The vegetables contained metals in the following descending order: Ca > Mg > Ca > Sb > Pb > Fe > Mo > Cr > Se > As > V > Ni > Co > Cd. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) revealed that vegetables tend to accumulate most metals even (toxic) during the transfer and translocation process. Based on the recommended daily allowance (%RDA) the vegetables showed to contribute 152%, 84% and 75% toward RDA for Se, V and Ca, respectively for most adults and these play a role in human metabolic activities. The vegetables were found to be a good source of essential elements (Ca, Mg, Ni, Na, Fe) but with some traces of toxic metals such as Pb, As and Sb. Based on the health risk assessment, the vegetable posed an adverse health hazard for human consumption due to metals with high HRI >1.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its Appendix.