Speciation of lead in soils and relation with its concentration in fruits Original Research Article

The lead concentrations of the fruit samples were determined by using slotted tube atom trap (STAT)-enrichment-flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS and GF-AAS). The soil samples related to these fruits were also analysed for Pb after extraction with various chemical reagents. The relation between the fruit-lead and soil-extractable lead concentrations was examined in order to explain the bioavailability of lead. A linear relation was observed between the hot Na2EDTA extraction-soluble Pb contents in the soil and the Pb concentrations in the mulberry (R2=0.95), strawberry and apple grown on these soils. Probable chemical forms of lead in soil were evaluated. Acceptable agreement (at least 91%) was achieved between the results of STAT-enrichment-FAAS and GF-AAS.