The distribution of metals from wastewater in the Mexican Valley of Mezquital

Since the beginning of this century, wastewater has been utilized for crop production in the Mexican Valley of Mezquital; however, few data are available for evaluating the level of heavy metal pollution in that region. Waters, soils and plants were sampled in different sites, representing three specific irrigation sources in the valley. Trace metals were determined in all samples. Total amount of most trace metals in raw municipal wastewater, and that of Ni, Cr, Pb and Zn in diluted water were quite high. Wastewater irrigation markedly increased the amounts of trace elements extracted from soils by 4M HNO₃; the amounts of metals were proportional to the amount of wastewater applied. Copper, chromium, and lead concentrations in soils roughly paralleled their organic matter contents. A wide range in tissue concentration of metals was observed. Zinc was the most metal absorbed by alfalfa and oats. Levels of Ni and Pb in plants, and to some extent, those of Co and Cu, were increased by raw wastewater irrigation. Chromium and lead accumulations in alfalfa were well above the tolerance levels suggested by some workers and the high Co concentration found in this legume may be a health risk for animals and human beings.