This study involves determination of the levels of heavy metals and some physio-chemical parameters in cabbage and irrigation water in selected Woredas of Gurage Zone, Ethiopia. The heavy metals assessed in this study are Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni) Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb). The Cabbage (Ethiopian Kale) samples were weighed to determine the fresh weight and dried in an oven at 80 oC for 72 hours to determine their dry weight. The dry samples were then grounded in a mortar and the resulting powder digested by weighing 0.5g of oven-dried ground and sieved (<1mm) into an acid-washed porcelain crucible and then incinerated at 500 oC in a muffle furnace. Then, the crucibles were removed from the furnace and cooled. Finally, the ashes were then solubilised in concentrated HCl for analysis. The contents of the minerals in the digests were analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (FAAS). The following concentration ranges (mg/kg) were found in cabbage: Zn (19.15 - 45.98), Cu (ND – 1.07), Mn (50.73 - 66.4), Cr (2.6-6.63), Ni (1.3 – 3.7), Pb and Cd were ND (i.e. Below method detection) in all Woreda samples. In this study, all heavy metals were not found (below method detection limit) in water samples. However, levels of heavy metals in cabbage samples were found in appreciable amount. The level of heavy metals in cabbage samples determined in this study could be put in the following order Mn > Zn > Cr > Ni > Cu. However, Cd and Pb were not detected in cabbage samples. The concentrations of most heaviest metals in cabbage were found to be below the permissible limit prescribed by different standards. However, the amount of Cr was found to be above allowable limit recommended by WHO.

Keywords: Accumulation; Heavy metals; Cabbage (Ethiopian Kale); Flame atomic absorption spectrometer; Muffle Furnace