Assessment of Heavy Metals contamination in Cannabis sativa, soil and industrial wastewater from Mirpur (Azad Jammu and Kashmir)

Authors

  • Asia Bostan Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
  • Muhammad Alamzeb Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
  • Saqib Ali Department of Chemistry, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/24209

Keywords:

Heavy metals, Cannabis sativa, soil, waste water, Mirpur

Abstract

Industrial effluent–derived heavy metal contamination poses serious ecological and human health risks due to persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation in soil–plant–water systems. This study assessed the distribution, bioaccumulation, and ecological risk of selected heavy metals in Cannabis sativa, soil and water from an industrial area of Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Cannabis sativa and soil samples were collected from three locations at increasing distances from the industrial zone, while water samples were obtained from steel, textile, pharmaceutical, and combined industrial effluents. After acid digestion, concentrations of zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), and silver (Ag) were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and compared with WHO permissible limits. Soil-to-plant transfer and water contamination patterns were evaluated to infer ecological and bioaccumulation risk. Results revealed elevated metal levels across all matrices. In C. sativa, mean concentrations of Zn (3.62 ppm), Mn (3.48 ppm), Cu (2.44 ppm), Co (2.33 ppm), Ni (1.23 ppm), Cd (2.16 ppm), Sn (1.21 ppm), and Ag (1.54 ppm) exceeded WHO limits. Soil concentrations were higher, e.g., Zn (13.09 ppm), Mn (16.34 ppm), Co (10.45 ppm), Ni (3.90 ppm), Cd (3.13 ppm). Water samples exhibited the highest concentrations in mixed effluents: Co (8.67 ppm), Ni (13.22 ppm), Mn (9.73 ppm), Zn (11.23 ppm), Cu (3.99 ppm), Cd (6.23 ppm), Ag (1.12 ppm), and Sn (2.02 ppm). Cadmium, cobalt, and zinc showed higher bioaccumulation potential in plants. Overall, contamination and bioaccumulation indices indicate moderate to high ecological risk, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and stricter regulation of industrial effluent discharge in Mirpur AJK.

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Published

2026-06-29

How to Cite

Bostan, A., Alamzeb, M., & Ali, S. (2026). Assessment of Heavy Metals contamination in Cannabis sativa, soil and industrial wastewater from Mirpur (Azad Jammu and Kashmir). EQA - International Journal of Environmental Quality, 74, 50–55. https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/24209

Issue

Vol. 74 (2026)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Asia Bostan, Muhammad Alamzeb, Saqib Ali

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