Soils from three dumpsite areas within Akure metropolis were investigated for heavy metal contamination
and possible accumulation of the metals in two common edible leafy vegetables, Amaranthus spinosus and
Talinum triangulae grown around the dumpsites. Metals detected in the dumpsite soils at concentrations far
above their estimated target values include Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Concentrations of the heavy metals
in the three dumpsite soils were of the order: Cu>Ni > Pb> Zn> Cr> Cd> Co. Correspondingly, high
concentrations of the metals were also found in the two vegetable plants with Cd and Pb more
bioaccumulated in A. spinosus. The concentrations of the heavy metals found in the shoot of the vegetable
grown around the dumpsites were much higher than the optimum allowed by FAO/WHO. Notwithstanding
that the consumption of these vegetables could constitute health hazard to human and other animals, A.
spinossus with high Cd and Pb enrichment coefficient could be a useful phytoremediator for soils polluted
with Cd and Pb.
Keywords: Dumpsite soil, heavy metal, bioaccumulation, leafy vegetables, phytoremediation.
PAPER TITLE :LEVELS OF HEAVY METALS IN LEAFY VEGETABLES GROWN AROUND WASTE DUMPSITES IN AKURE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
FUTA JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE | VOLUME 8 NUMBER 2 2012
Paper Details
- Author(s) : A.F. Aiyesanmi and G.A. Idowu
- Abstract:
