title: Bioconcentration of some macrominerals in soil, forage and buffalo hair continuum: A case study on pasture irrigated with sewage water.
abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the bioaccumulation of some macrominerals in grazing buffaloes fed forage irrigated with sewage water or canal water. In particular, the transfer of sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) from soil to plant and in turn to animals was evaluated under sub-tropical environmental conditions. Samples of soil, forage and buffalo hair were collected and digested by wet method. Sodium and K concentrations were significantly higher in the soil but lower in the forages; however, Mg and Ca concentrations in both soil and forages were higher. The correlation between soil, forage and hair showed an imbalanced flow of Na, Mg and K and a balanced flow of Ca from soil to forage and then to animals. Based on the findings, the highest rates of transfer of minerals were found for sewage water treatment, whereas lowest rates were found for canal water treatment, except for Na. As the transfer of minerals depends on their bioavailability, the highest values may be due to the high rates of mineral uptake by plants. Thus, the high transfer rate of some elements by plants could become toxic in future causing detrimental effect to grazing livestock.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zafar Iqbal
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Kafeel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Iqra
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Sumaira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gondal
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Sciences, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zafar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laudadio
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari 'Aldo Moro', Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tufarelli
keywords: Buffaloes; Forage; Minerals; Soil; Water