The
concentrations of eight selected heavy metals, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni, Cr, As, Hg, and
Zn in seven consumable vegetables harvested at some dump sites and farm lands (
as control) in Port Harcourt and its environs in Rivers State Nigeria were
investigated. The soils in which they are grown were also analysed using Solaar
Thermo Elemental Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) model SE 71906. The
vegetables plants investigated were Bitter leaf (Vernonia Amgdylina, Pumpkin
(Telfairia Occidentalis), Green Vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus), Okro plant
(Abelmoschus esculentus L), Green Amaranths (Amaranthus viridis). The results
obtained show that the concentration of heavy metals in the dumpsites were
significantly higher (P<0.05) and varies from the results for the farmlands
(control). Similarly there were more
heavy metals in vegetables harvested at dumpsites than the control sites. Zn
concentration in vegetables at both sites Zn (31.6 ± 0.23 - 68.04 ± 0.1 mg/kg)
and Zn (10.36 ± 0.18 - 26.62 ± 0.26 mg/kg) respectively. Concentration of other
metals followed the order, Ni> Cu>Cr>Pb>Cd >As. Concentrations
of Pb, Cd, Cr in all the vegetables from the dumpsites were extremely higher
than the WHO permissible standard limit.
While the Ni, Cu were below permissible limit only in some vegetables.
Hg concentration was minimal in dumpsite vegetables and was not detected in
samples from the control sites. The
significantly high level of heavy metal concentrations, above the World Health
Organization (WHO) permissible limits, indicates bioaccumulation in the
vegetables and subsequent bioavailability when consumed. This can pose great
health risk to humans and animals through the food chain.
Author(s) Details
Dr. K. Okorosaye-Orubite
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
F. U. Igwe
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
F. O. Oyebamiji
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
View Book: - http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/173
Author(s) Details
Dr. K. Okorosaye-Orubite
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
F. U. Igwe
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
F. O. Oyebamiji
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
View Book: - http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/173
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