Abstract:
The aim of this study was to measure the level of' ~envy metals in edible vegetables (tomato,
./ onion and green pepper) collected Irom Bahir Dar market, garden of Bahir Dur town and Ader
Agricultural Research center (near Rcb River). Levels of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn were determined
using flame atomic absorption spectrometry after dry ashing process. The average
concentrations of Pb. Cd, Cu and Zn were in the range of; 0.244 - 0.987, 0.115 - 0.536, 0.962
-3.430 and 2.344 ~ 4.136 mg/kg in tomato, 0.241- 0.43. 0.12- 0.441, 0.879-3.428 and 2.197-
3.259 mg/kg in oniori"imd 0.211- 0.392, 0.128- 0.573, 1.229-2.991 and 3.081-4.242 mg/kg in
green pepper respectively. TI1c levels of those metals in all vegetables collected from the
market site was higher than Adet Agricultural Research center but lower than garden in Bahir
Dar rown, The highest concentration of 7.n in all vegetables of the. analyzed metals was
prob'\ibly because it is considered as essential micronutricms for plants growth and can easily
be taken up by plants 01· may be obtained from Ute water. Hie concentration of zinc and
copper-were within WHO guideline in all analyzed samples, ,whit;; samples collected from the
ma~ket and gardens of Bahir Dar town showed high increment in concentration of lead and