In areca nut and husk, 14 elements (As, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, and Zn) were determined, while 34 elements including rare earth elements were detected in the corresponding soil samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry methods, whereas the concentration levels of Hg in tested samples are negligible, perhaps, below the detection limits. No rare earth elements were detected in edible areca nut. The concentration levels of various essential elements and heavy elements such as As, Cd, and Cu present in areca nut are within the permissible levels, whereas Pb content is relatively higher than FAO/WHO’s permissible levels. The order of bioaccumulation index for heavy metals in areca nut was Cd > Sb > Cu > Zn ≥ Mn ≥ Co > Pb ≥ As. Bioaccumulation index values are indicating that areca palm may not be able to accumulate other heavy elements in the edible areca nut, except for Cd. On the basis of pollution indices, Northeast Indian soil may be relatively unpolluted.

在槟榔和果壳中，测定了14种元素（As，Ca，Cd，Cl，Co，Cu，K，Mg，Mn，Na，Rb，Sb和Zn），而其中的34种元素包括稀土元素被检测到。使用仪器中子活化分析和原子吸收光谱法测定相应的土壤样品，而测试样品中汞的浓度水平可以忽略不计，也许低于检测极限。在食用槟榔中未检测到稀土元素。槟榔中各种必需元素和重元素如As，Cd和Cu的浓度水平均在允许水平之内，而Pb含量则相对高于FAO / WHO的允许水平。槟榔中重金属的生物累积指数的顺序为Cd> Sb> Cu> Zn≥Mn≥Co> Pb≥As。生物蓄积指数值表明，槟榔可能无法在食用槟榔中积聚除镉以外的其他重元素。根据污染指数，印度东北部的土壤可能相对未被污染。