Trace elements in faba bean (Vicia fabaL) plant and soil as determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion selective electrode

Trace (Ag, Au, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn) and macro (Ca, K, Mg and Na) element concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and chloride by an ion selective electrode, in different parts of the faba bean (Vicia faba L) plant. Leaf, stem, pod, pericarp, cotyledon, testa and seeds were all analysed as were soil samples taken from the immediate vicinity of the plant roots at depths of 10, 30 and 60 cm before and after planting the bean plant. The experiment was situated on the shores of the High Dam Lake in Aswan (Egypt). The bean leaves showed the highest concentrations of Ca, Mg, Fe, Sr, Mn, Ni, Co, Pb and Cr while the seeds showed the highest concentrations of Zn and Cu. The highest levels of trace elements in the soil were found at 60 cm depth after planting which suggests the uptake of most trace elements by the plant is from the 10–30 cm depth zone. Statistically there were significant correlations between trace element concentrations in the bean and soil samples. The levels of trace elements in the bean under study were not considered to be toxic for man or animal uses. © 1998 SCI.