Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol 18, Issue 3, 2016; Page No.(597-603)

UPTAKE OF PB, CR, MN AND ZN BY VEGETABLES FOUND GROWING IN THE VICINITY OF ESISI OPEN DUMPSITE IN WARRI

HELEN ATAIKIRU AND F. E. OKIEIMEN

Abstract

This study is to ascertain the potential public health hazard presented by the heavy metals in the vicinity of Esisi open dumpsite. Two test plant samples, pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), and cocoyam (Colocasia esculentus) were collected from the vicinity of Esisi dumpsite, background plant samples were sought and collected 2km away from the open dumpsite. The solutions of the plant samples were prepared. Buck scientific standard solutions were used to calibrate the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The detection limits for the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Buck scientific VGP 210 model) were Pb = 0.08 mg/kg, Cr = 0.04 mg/kg, Zn = 0.005 mg/kg and Mn = 0.07 mg/kg. The concentrations of Pb, Cr, Mn and Zn in the plant samples were determined using a pre-calibrated atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) with an air-acetylene flame for Zinc and a graphite furnace for lead. The background samples were also determined using AAS. The analyses were carried out in triplicates. The concentrations of the heavy metals in the plants samples were expressed in mg/kg plant dry weight (dw). The roots of the plants had the highest concentrations of the heavy metals. All the tissues uptake of the heavy metals in the pumpkin and cocoyam are higher than background samples values. Hazard quotient profile of the heavy metals in the food plants showed possibility of ecological risk or concern.

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