Heavy Metal Concentrations in Pumpkin Leaf, Water Leaf, and Soil from Selected Dumpsites in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria
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Abstract
Samples of pumpkin leaf, water leaf as well as soil were collected from six locations around Port Harcourt metropolis, and analyzed for heavy metal concentration. Samples preparation followed standard procedure and analysis carried out using AAS (VGB 210 System) afforded the following detectable values (mg/kg) in soil; Cu (0.531±0.027 - 3.616±0.019) , Mn (2.776±0.020 - 4.819±0.027 ), V (1.084 ± 0.026 - 0.753±0.026), Cd (0.274±0.013 - 0.070 ± 0.013), Co (0.104±0.126 - 0.253±0.013), in Pumpkin leaf; Cu (18.599±0.007 - 3.432±0.033), Mn (0.152±0.028 - 0.018±0.022), V (3.264±0.011 - 0.417±0.127), Cd (2.630±0.678 - 0.070±0.099), Co (ND - 0.391±0.037) and in water leaf: Cu (11.308±0.034 - 9.479 ± 0.029), Mn (0.004±0.091 - 0.016 ± 0.017), V (1.084 ± 0.026 - 0.753±0.026), Cd (0.274±0.013 - 0.070 ± 0.013), (ND - 0.530± l0.002). The levels in leafs were generally higher than those in the soil. However the trend which was attributable largely to anthropogenic inputs and comparable with similar studies within and outside Nigeria, identified Manganese (Mn) as a major contaminant of the soil. Cu, recorded the highest contaminant on both leaves. The values of the heavy metals obtained at the different dumpsites were lower than their corresponding permissible limit. From each of the observed metals in the edible vegetable (Pumpkin leaf and water leaf), and soil, the highest values were obtained in parts of Port Harcourt where there is serious presence of industrial discharge or activities. The transfer factor (Tf) index revealed that Cu and Cd values from the dumpsites afforded greater than 1 value, indicating a greater concentration level of the metal in the plant than in the soil. While Mn indicated less than 1 value, Co reported values within normal range in plant. It may therefore be plausible to say that solid waste dumpsites in Port Harcourt Metropolis are laden with high concentrations of heavy metals which are later absorbed and assimilated by plants growing within such sites. The study therefore calls for regular monitoring to mitigate the dangers implicit in the continuous consumption of the leaves.
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References
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