Abstract:
This study was carried out to investigate the effect of contaminated underground water with heavy metals and trace elements such as (chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Manganese (Mn)) in different types of meat produced at Tambol area -Sudan. Samples of water and animals meat tissues were collected and analyzed for metals presence by using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). The study revealed that the levels of heavy metals and trace elements in meat of (beef, sheep, goat and camel) varied in concentration. The mean concentration of heavy metals was Chromium: (0.14, 0.26, 0.17 and 0.16 mg/kg. Nickel: (0.12, 0.15, 0.13 and 0.12 mg/kg), Zinc: (8.04, 6.47, 7.8 and7.67 mg/kg). Iron: (5.54, 3.25, 3.26 and 3.56 mg/kg). Lead: (1.17, 1.24, 1.25 and 1.36 mg/kg). Manganese: (0.08, 0.13, 0.10 and 0.07 mg/kg) for beef, sheep, goat and camel respectively. There was significant different at (p ≤ 0.01) in Iron content of different meat types. The study showed that the concentrations of heavy metals and trace elements of underground water were (0.003 ± 0.001, 0.002 ± 0.001, 0.02 ± 0.002, 0.01 ± 0.001, 0.01 ± 0.001 and 0.01 ± 0.001 mg/l) for Cr, Ni, Zn, Fe, Pb and Mn in water respectively. The results showed that the levels of all metals under investigation were comparable with the corresponding recommended permissible limits stated by international agencies such as WHO, US-EPA, EU, SSMO and Japan. Significant positive and negative correlation was observed between the metal content in meat, whereas the study did not indicate any correlation between metals concentration in groundwater and muscle tissues.
