Assessment of heavy metal concentration in vegetables grown within fungicide treated Cocoa plantations in Akamkpa Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria and implications to human health

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the concentrations of heavy metals in soil samples and edible vegetables (Heinsia crinita and Gnetum africana) grown within fungicide treated cocoa plantation in Akamkpa communities of Cross River State Nigeria. In each sampling community, the edible vegetables and soil samples were collected for the period of three months (March to May) and were replicated three times. The levels of heavy metals in soil and edible vegetable samples collected were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil samples collected from fungicide treated coca plantations were higher than those recorded in the control location in all the sample locations. The concentrations of heavy metals in edible vegetables (Heinsia crinita and Gnetum africana) collected from fungicide treated cocoa plantations exceeded the maximum permissible limits values of heavy metals for edible vegetables. The soils and edible vegetables (Heinsia crinita and Gnetum africana) in the fungicide treated cocoa plantations in Akamkpa communities are contaminated by heavy metals and may pose serious adverse health effect to the consumers and the ecosystem.