Bioconcentration of Heavy Metals in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) from Farm Soils around Sohar Industrial Area in Oman

Heavy metal accumulation in soils caused by industrialization has become a potential threat due to its availability to crops and their subsequent transformation in the food chain. Sohar Industrial Area in Oman has large number of industries operating in a confined area closer to agriculture farms which cultivates alfalfa as fodder for their livestock. This study assessed the presence of selected heavy metals in farm soils and alfalfa. Samples were collected from 8 farms, four each from two sites (2 and 4 km from the industry). Results show that the soil metal concentration are found to be in the order of Fe >Al> Ni> Zn>Cr> Co>Cu>Pb. There is no difference in concentration of metals between the distances. Most of the farm soils are saline in nature. In general, the metals bioaccumulate more in the root than in the shoot. Interestingly, the Pb which recorded the least concentration in soil has translocated the most to the edible shoot.