Description

Metals by virtue of their amount in living system are non toxic rather helping in several physiological functions. However, when they are accumulated at a level beyond the permissible limits are declared toxic and injurious to health of plants and human beings. Samples of food grains (Wheat, Rice, Maize) alongwith soil and underground water of 12-sites were collected from six districts of Punjab (Pakistan). The materials were tested metal concentrations by using most advance analytical technique ICP-OES. The highest values of metals in under-ground Water were (4.08 K), (51.59 Na), (1.122 Li), (501.0 Ca), (13.15 Mg), (0.00 Be), (2.72Al), (0.049As), (0.061 Co), (0.111 Pb), ( 0.019 Cd), (0.220 Ni), (0.120 Cr), (0.202 Mn), (0.202 Zn), (7.110 Fe), (0.231Cu) and (0.029 Se) µg∕ml . The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) values for all water samples were normal and within the permissible limits. The highest values of metals in soil were (215 K), (935 Na), (0.780 Li), (6019 Ca), (58.00 Mg), (0.00 Be), (0.760 Al), (0.012 As), (0.093 Co), (1.010 Pb), (0.921 Cd), (0.721 Ni), (0.230 Cr), (11.17 Mn), (0.990 Zn), (239.0 Fe), (3.100 Cu) and (0.093 Se