Trace element geochemistry of Manilkara zapota [L.] P. royen, fruit from winder, balochistan, Pakistan in perspective of medical geology

An integrated study of rocks, soils and fruits of Manilkara zapota [L.] [Sapotaceae] of Winder area have been carried out to elaborate trace elements relationship between them. The igneous rocks of the study area have elevated amount of certain trace elements, upon weathering these elements are concentrated in the soil of the area. The trace elements concentration in the soil were found in the range of 0.8-197 for Fe, 1.23-140 for Mn, 0.03-16.7 for Zn, 0.07-9.8 for Cr, 0.05-2.0 for Co, 0.52-13.3 for Ni, 0.03-8.8 for Cu, 0.08-10.55 for Pb and 0.13-1.8microg/g for Cd. The distribution pattern of elements in the rocks and soils reflected genetic affiliation. Promising elements of edible part of the fruit were Fe [14.17], Mn [1.49], Cr [2.96], Ni [1.13], Co [0.92], Cu [1.70] and Zn [1.02microg/g]. The concentration of these elements in the fruits is above the optimum level of recommended dietary intake, probably due to this, disorder in the human health is suspected in the inhabitants of the area

Determination of toxic metals in some herbal drugs through atomic absorption spectroscopy

This study presents a picture of occurrence of heavy metals [Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Co, Fe, Ni, Zn] in some selected valuable herbal drugs [G. glabra, O. bracteatum, V. odorata, F. vulgare, C. cyminum, C. sativum, and Z. officinalis] purchased from three different zones [southern, eastern, and western] of Karachi city using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metal concentrations in these drugs were found in the range of: 3.26-30.46 for Pb, 1.6-4.91 for Cd, 0.65-120.21 for Cu, 83.74-433.76 for Zn, 1.61-186.75 for Cr, 0.48-76.97 for Ni, 5.54-77.97 for Co and 65.68-1652.89 microg/g for Fe. Percentage of heavy metals that were found beyond the permissible limits were: 71.4% for Pb, 28.51% for Cd, 14.2% for Cu, and 9.5% for Cr. Significant difference was noticed for each heavy metal among herbal drugs as well as their zones of collection using two way ANOVA followed by least significant [LSD] test at p<0.05.Purpose of this research is to detect each type of heavy metal contaminant of herbal drugs by environmental pollution, as well as to highlight the health risks associated with the use of such herbal drugs that contain high levels of toxic heavy metals

Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of Karachi area

The groundwater samples were collected and analyzed to assess the groundwater quality from the Malir, Lyari,and Hub rivers drainage basins. Small seasonal aquifers are present within subrecent valley fills, above the folded rocks of Nan and Gaj formations of Oligocene and Miocene Ages, respectively. However, permanent aquifers are located within the terrace deposits of recent times. The major ionic composition shows a wide variation in the hydrochemical properties of the groundwater of the area. The degree of correspondence among cations, anions and trace elements have been estimated in order to evaluate their mutual relationships. Abundance of major and trace elements is interpreted in relation to the composition of aquifer, bedrock and climatic conditions, which may contribute to the genetic affiliation. The important hydrogeophysical parameters 'have been estimated for reasonable assessment of groundwater quality for domestic and irrigation purposes. Evaluation of hazardous trace elements [Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Hg] have also been made. Ionic relationship is exhibited in the form of Stiff diagrams. Piper diagram has been used to classify the hydrofacies