Analysis of Mercury Levels in Agricultural Soils and Citrus Varieties from Benue State, Nigeria

Shaapera Ugbidye,Rufus Sha’ Ato,Raymond Wuana,Ishaq Shaibu Eneji

doi:10.11648/j.sjac.20200802.15

Shaapera Ugbidye, Rufus Sha’ Ato + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjac.20200802.15

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Abstract

Mercury levels in agricultural soils and three citrus varieties (Washington, Ibadan Sweet and Valencia) in seven (7) local government areas of Benue State were determined using standard techniques. The mean physico-chemical parameters of the soils ranges from: pH (5.20 – 6.10); CEC (10.5 – 12.9 cmolkg-1); organic carbon (2.35 – 3.39%) and organic matter (6.17 – 7.37%). The mean Hg levels in the soils ranges from 20.5 – 21.2 µgkg-1. The mean proximate parameters are: fat in Valencia (0.330%); fibre in Valencia (0.490%); moisture in Valencia (87.4%); ash in Valencia (1.80%) and carbohydrate in Ibadan sweet (17.7%). The mean Hg concentration in the citrus juice ranges from: Washington (0.770 – 6.35 µgkg-1); Ibadan sweet (0.770 – 6.53 µgkg-1) and in Valencia (0.770 – 5.22 µgkg-1). The order of accumulation of Hg in the citrus varieties is Ibadan sweet > Washington > Valencia. The concentrations of Hg in the three citrus fruit juice and soil do not exceed the WHO/FAO permissible limits of 100 and 1000 µgkg-1 for foods and agricultural soils respectively. However, continues monitoring is hereby recommended.

Highlights

The need for Nigeria to key into minamata convention on mercury in line with United Nations Environmental Programme precipitated the motive of this research
Orange farms were located from three (3) council wards of each Local Government where the citrus sinensis fruits (Washington, Ibandan Sweet and Valencia) samples were plugged into a polyethene container hanged on a stick and bulked based on varieties, placed into appropriately labeled sacks and transported to the Departments of Crop Production and Biology, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, where the plant parts were taxonomically identified and
Fat Content The result of the analysis revealed the levels of fat in the orange varieties in the range of: Washington (0.200 – 0.310%); Ibadan sweet (0.210 – 0.330%) and Valencia (0.190 – 0.330%)

Summary

Introduction

The need for Nigeria to key into minamata convention on mercury in line with United Nations Environmental Programme precipitated the motive of this research. Orange (Citrus sinensis) fruits play an essential role in human nutrition as they are good sources of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids; tocophenol and phenolic compounds [1]. It contains some other nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrate, fibre and minerals. In most developing countries like Nigeria, the quest for rapid economic growth through industrialization and modern agriculture have resulted in a concomitant inflow of several contaminants like heavy metals into the environment [9]. Despite the benefits of fruit consumption on human health, heavy metal contents in fruits can be toxic when they exceed the recommended health levels or when they bio-accumulate in the body over a long period [10]. This study aims at determining the level of mercury in three orange fruits juice

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