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. 2024 Jul 23;14(1):16918.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-67792-2.

Heavy metal impacts on antioxidants in cow blood from wastewater-irrigated areas

Waheed Ullah  1 , Khalid Ahmad  1 , Gouhar Rehman  2 , Kaleem Ullah  3 , Imen Kebaili  4   5 , Abdul Majeed  3 , Muhammad Subhanullah  2 , Bakht Rawan  6 , Saddam Hussain  7
Affiliations

Heavy metal impacts on antioxidants in cow blood from wastewater-irrigated areas

Waheed Ullah et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to investigate the presence of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) in blood samples from cows raised with irrigated wastewater, as well as in the wastewater itself, in the North-western region of Pakistan. A total of 60 blood samples were collected from five different locations in Kohat, namely Tappi Road (TR), Pindi Road (PR), Gul Malik Road (GMR), Markaz Road (MR), and a control group. The samples of both i.e. cow blood and wastewater were analyzed for the concentrations of heavy metals. The highest concentration of Cd was detected in the MR site with a mean value of 0.03 mg/L, and the highest concentration of Cu (0.04 mg/L) was recorded in the TR site, while the lowest level was found in the control group with a mean of 0.002 mg/L in blood samples. The highest Cr and Pb concentrations were found at the PR site, with mean values of 0.03 and 0.07 mg/L, respectively, whereas the control group had the lowest concentrations, with mean values of 0.002 and 0.01 mg/L. Similarly, heavy metal concentrations were analyzed in wastewater used for irrigation in the study area. Results indicated elevated concentrations of Cu and Cr in wastewater, although they remained below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended values except for Cr (0.13 mg/L) in the GMR site, which exceeded permissible limits. Cd and Pb concentrations in wastewater were relatively low, but Cd concentration surpassed WHO limits, particularly with a mean concentration of 0.08 mg/L in the TR site. Comparison between heavy metal concentrations in blood and wastewater revealed higher values of Cd and Pb in blood samples than in wastewater, while Cu and Cr concentrations were higher in water compared to blood. Additionally, elevated levels of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD), antioxidant enzyme Catalase (CAT), and oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected in blood samples. Cluster and principal component analyses were employed to assess heavy metal toxicity among the groups, indicating potential long-term adverse health effects on animals, transfer to humans, and toxicity in living organisms.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Cows blood; Heavy metals; Oxidants; Wastewater.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Map of the Study area and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The software ArcGIS (version10.5; https://malagis.com/arcgis-enterprise-105-download.html) was use to draw the map of the country province, and detail study area.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cd concentration in cows' blood samples (mean ± SD) among the contaminated and controlled sites.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cu concentration in cows' blood samples (mean ± SD) among the contaminated and controlled sites.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Cr concentration in cows' blood samples (mean ± SD) among the contaminated and controlled sites.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Pb concentration in cows' blood samples (mean ± SD) among the contaminated and controlled sites.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of heavy metals in wastewater and blood samples of animals.
Figure 7
Figure 7
(a) A biplot of parameters and sampling numbers (F1 vs. F2). (b) Parametric biplot (F1 against F2).
Figure 8
Figure 8
HCA of heavy metals in contaminated and control site.
Figure 9
Figure 9
MDA (mean ± SD) level in blood samples from polluted and control locations.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Level of SOD (mean ± SD) in blood samples among controls and contaminated areas.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Level of CAT (mean ± SD) in blood samples among controls and contaminated areas.
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