Most bioaccumulator of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) is:
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Leafy vegetables, especially spinach, have a high heavy-metal transfer factor from soil to plant compared to root or fruit crops.
This makes them highly vulnerable to heavy metal contamination when grown near industrial areas or irrigated with wastewater.
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Bioaccumulation is the process by which heavy metals (such as Cadmium, Lead, and Arsenic) are absorbed and accumulated in plant tissues from polluted soils or irrigation water at concentrations much higher than in the surrounding soil.
Certain crops, particularly leafy vegetables, are efficient bioaccumulators, which can pose serious health risks when consumed. Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Different vegetable crops exhibit varying capacities to absorb and accumulate heavy metals from the soil:
- Leafy vegetables have very high transpiration rates and large leaf surface areas relative to their biomass, which drives a rapid upward flux of water and dissolved minerals through the xylem.
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is widely recognized as one of the most efficient bioaccumulators (hyperaccumulators) of toxic heavy metals, particularly Cadmium (\(Cd\)) and Lead (\(Pb\)), among common vegetables.
The root cells of spinach contain transporters that easily absorb these divalent metal ions from the soil solution and translocate them directly to the edible leaf tissue.
- While cabbage, mustard, and sugar beet can absorb these heavy metals, their accumulation rates in the harvested parts are significantly lower than in spinach.
Therefore, spinach is the most efficient bioaccumulator of Cadmium and Lead among the options. Step 2: Final Answer:
The most efficient bioaccumulator of cadmium and lead is spinach.
