Determinatioon of some heavy metals in dumpsite soil and <i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> grown near dumpsites in Kafanchan metropolis, Kaduna state, Nigeria

Abstract

The seasonal variations in the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb in the soils and Abelmochus esculentus fruit grown near 5 dumpsites in Kafanchan metropolis, Nigeria were investigated during the wet and dry seasons of 2015 using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The soils were sandy loam and alkaline, with the cation exchange capacity, soil particle size distribution, pH, nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter being higher in the dry season than in the wet. In the dry season,

Environmental analysis of heavy metal pollution in Mtondia dumpsite, Kilifi County, Kenya.

“…The clay fraction was generally higher compared to the other fractions of soil particles. A high percentage of clay soil particles on the topsoil would lead to the soil retaining water for a longer time and therefore increase the sorption of heavy metal ions and subsequent leaching in the soil (Chindo et al, 2016;Nkop et al, 2016). This would ultimately lead to pollution of the groundwater when the dissolved metals seep into the lower layers of the soil.…”

“…where; Cf < 1 indicates low contamination; 1 < Cf < 3 indicates moderate contamination; 3 < Cf < 6 indicates considerable contamination; and Cf> 6 indicates very high contamination (Isaac et al, 2018;Chindo et al, 2016). The geo-accumulation index (I-geo) for the soil was also calculated to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination at the Mtondia dumpsite using the formula below: Isaac et al (2018) and Chindo et al (2016).…”

“…4-5 = from strongly to extremely polluted. >6 = extremely polluted The geo-accumulation index (I-geo) for the soil was also calculated to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination at the Mtondia dumpsite using the formula below: (Isaac et al, 2018;Chindo et al, 2016).…”

“…Elements like Pb, Cd, and Hg are toxic to living organisms even in low concentrations, and they cause anomalies in the metabolic functions of the organism, especially in greater concentrations (Thelma et al, 2020). The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is of great concern due to food safety issues, potential health risks, and detrimental effects on the soil's ecosystems (Chindo et al, 2016). Hence, most heavy metals are extremely toxic because of their solubility in water, where they are known to accumulate in living organisms, and even at low levels, they can result in long-term cumulative health effects, which are among the leading health concerns all over the world.…”

“…The geo-accumulation index (I-geo) for the soil was also calculated to evaluate the degree of heavy metal contamination at the Mtondia dumpsite using the formula below: (Isaac et al, 2018) and Chindo et al (2016). where, Cm = the mean concentration of heavy metals in soil.…”