Concentration of Heavy Metals in Vegetables Cultivated around Dumpsites in Jimeta and Ngurore Areas, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study analyses the health risk assessment of the concentration of Iron, Lead, Copper, Chromium, and Cadmium heavy metals in vegetables grown near dumpsites of Jimeta and Ngurore areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Vegetables mainly Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) were collected in triplicates and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer Buck 210VGP (AAS). The result revealed that heavy metals detected in spinach at Jimeta dumpsite decreased in the following order: Fe (3.7 mg/kg) > Pb (0.18 mg/kg) > Cu (0.12 mg/kg) > Cr (0.07 mg/kg) > Cd (below limit of detection), compared to the metal concentration in spinach at Ngorure dumpsite with lower concentration of heavy metal which decreased in the order of: Fe (2.5 mg/kg) > Pb (0.16 mg/kg) > Cu (0.14 mg/kg) > Cr (0.02 mg/kg) > Cd (below limit of detection). Other result for Spinach in Jimeta decreased in the order Fe (3.31mg/kg) > Pb (0.2mg/kg) > Cu (0.11mg/kg) > Cr (0.05mg/kg) > Cd (ND) beyond the limit of detection while Lettuce decreased in the order Fe (22.54mg/kg) > Cu (0.31mg/kg) > Pb (0.12mg/kg) > Cr (0.07mg/kg) > Cd (ND) beyond the limit of detection. Fe is the most abundant element in the vegetables with a mean value of 21 mg/kg followed by Pb (0.177 mg/kg). The analyses of paired T-test for vegetables in Ngurore and Jimeta at 0.05 level of significant confirmed that Cu and Cr showed no statistically significant difference in their concentration level while Fe and Pb confirmed that there was statistically significant difference in their concentration level. However, the detection of heavy metals in these vegetables calls for close environmental monitoring and adequate public awareness. This is necessary to discourage further pollution which could lead to high metal concentration and metal poisoning in vegetables and invariably humans that consume them.
 Keywords: Spinacia oleracea, Lactuca sativa, Heavy metal, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

Impact of Environmental Pollution (Dumpsite and Vehicle Exhaust) On the Green Vegetable (Amaranthus Hybridus), Jute-Ewedu (Corchorus Olitorius) and Spinach (Amaranthus Oleracea) Planted in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Nigeria

“…The Manganese value (1.220±0.017mg/kg) in this study corresponds to the manganese value recorded in green vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus)from Owode farm [24]. The value of Copper (0.199 ±0.002mg/kg) reported in this study is slightly higher than the copper value (0.1383 mg/kg) )reported for Spinach near Ngurore dumpsite [22].…”

“…At the Ipaja farm, Sakiyo, et al [22] reported Lead in a Spinach near dumpsite as 0.1766 mg/kg, this value is lesser than 2.011±0.003 mg/kg recorded in this study, while the lead value ( 2.98mg/kg) reported for Amaranthus © 2022 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved.…”

“…Olasoji, et al [24] reported 2.220±0.01mg/kg of manganese in green vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus)which is significantly higher than the value in this study (1.220±0.017mg/kg). Copper in this study has higher value (0.331±0.003mg/kg) compare to Lettuce (0.126mg/kg) from dumpsite at Ngurore, Adamawa state [22].…”

“…The difference may be as a result of green vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus) ability to store more elements in its stem and leaves than spinach Doherty, et al [25]. Sakiyo, et al [22] reported the copper value of 0.1233 mg/kg for Spinach in Jimeta, Yola. This value corresponds to the copper value (0.115±0.001mg/kg) recorded for this study.…”

“…In line with the procedure according to the method described by Adu, et al [1]; Sakiyo, et al [22]; Adotey, et al [23], three (3) batches of 100 g vegetables sample: green vegetable (Amaranthus hybridus), Jute-ewedu (Corchorus olitorius) and spinach (Amaranthus oleracea) were bought from the Shasha farm (secluded farm), Ipaja farm (near dumpsite) and ikola (along the tarred road) all in Alimosho Local government area of Lagos State, Nigeria. The three (3) batches were purchased from Monday till Friday at 6:00 am GMT+1 on April 11-15, 2022.…”