Title of article :
Heavy Metals in Topsoil under Selected Vegetable Cultivation Areas in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia
Author/Authors :
Abdul Rahim, Sahibin National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Rahman, Zulfahmi Ali National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Lihan, Tukimat National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Omar, Ramlan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Hashim, Azman National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Prihatino, Errol National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia , Meng, Lai Kong National University of Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Malaysia
Abstract :
Heavy metal contents of soil under vegetable cultivation in the Cameron Highlands were determined. Five stations selected for this purpose were Kg. Raja (forest reserve), Kuala Terla (cabbage), Tringkap (cabbage) and two stations at Blue Valley (cabbage and an abandoned tea plantation). Soil samples were collected during the harvesting season for cabbage. Soil in the tea plantation and forest were used for comparison. The mean of all of the heavy metals examined, except arsenic, were high in soil cultivated with cabbage compared to the soil under natural forest and tea plantation. The increase in heavy metal content for the agricultural area was attributed to the common practice of fertilizing, liming and pest control. Heavy metal content in all stations was within the normal range in soils but As and Zn concentrations were already within the potential toxic threshold in soil. Soil parameters such as pH, organic matter, silt and phosphorus content in soil had an influence on the enrichment ofPb, Co, Ni, Zn and Cr in soil.
Keywords :
Heavy metals , topsoil content , vegetable cultivation , Cameron Highlands
Journal title :
Malaysian Journal of Science
Journal title :
Malaysian Journal of Science
