Bark of Neem Tree (Azadirachta indica) as Bioindicator for Deposition of Heavy Metals around Katsina Steel Rolling Company in Katsina Township | Chapter 2 | Current Approaches in Science and Technology Research Vol. 3

 In this study, the bark of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is used as a bio-indicator to monitor heavy metal pollution in Katsina township. Heavy metals can be absorbed by plants through their roots from the soil and water, as well as through their leaves from the atmosphere. Heavy metal uptake, accumulation, and translocation Metal concentrations in plants may differ between species due to anatomical and physiological differences. Yells are taken from four different locations in Katsina township, including; Katsina Steel Rolling Company is a steel rolling company in Katsina, Nigeria. Kofar Kwaya Round-about (Site A), Kofar Yandaka Round-about (Site B), and Kofar Yandaka Round-about (Site C). Plantation of neem trees adjacent to the Nigeria Army Barracks in Natsinta (Site D). The samples are tested for Iron, Manganese, Copper, Lead, Cobalt, Chromium, Nickel and Zinc using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The results obtained reveal heavy metal levels (µgg– 1) ranging from 52.50 – 196.25 (Fe), 19.50 – 34.25 (Mn), 2.41 – 8.43(Zn), <0.01 – 18.75(Cr), 3.01 – 11.50(Co), <0.01 – 3.50 (Pb), 1.00 – 4.25(Ni) and 0.13 – 2.75(Cu) across the four sites. The results also show the Iron concentrations correlate significantly with distance from the Steel Rolling Company, which also serves as a source of contamination. The heavy metal burdens from site A are the highest, while those from site D are the lowest, indicating a slight relationship between heavy metal loads and site distance from the contamination point, with the concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Zn being the only exception. Among the heavy metals examined, Fe has the highest concentration, while Cu has the lowest. It is concluded that neem bark is an effective bio-monitor for measuring air quality.

 Author(s) Details

A. Fowotade Sulayman
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

Hamisu Abdu
Department of Polymer Technology, College of Science and Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

A. Abdullah Saidu
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

Fadhila Ahmad
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

J. Zainab Suleiman
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

Saleh, Isyaku
Department of Polymer Technology, College of Science and Technology, Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Nigeria.

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