Bioconcentration of Heavy Metals in high Density traffic area of Port Harcourt Metopolis, Nigeria

G Iwuoha,J Ogan,T Chikwe

doi:10.4314/jasem.v19i3.24

Abstract

The Bioconcentration factor (BCF) of selected heavy metals in grasses growing along High Density Traffic Area (HDTA) and Low Density Traffic Area (LDTA) of Port Harcourt metropolis was ascertained. The results show BCF for Heavy Metals in grasses along HDTA are significantly higher than their counterpart along LDTA even though the values of heavy metals in the soil along the LDTA are relatively higher than those along HDTA. This shows that aerial deposition or diffusion of these Heavy Metals from automobile exhaust and adsorption processes to the grasses along HDTA plays a major role in their Bioconcentration. The order of BCF of Heavy Metals in grasses along HDTA (Cr > Cd = Co > Ni > Zn > Pb > Fe) and LDTA (Cr > Cd > Ni > Pb > Co > Zn > Fe) shows that Cr and Cd having highest BCF of 2.97 and 2.50 in grasses along HDTA and 0.68 and 0.67 in grasses along LDTA respectively, could be used to monitor their aerial deposition from automobile exhaust. Keywords : Heavy metal, Bioaccumulation, High Density Traffic Area, Low Density Traffic Area.

Highlights

Roadside air, vegetation and soil pollution has been observed as a result of improved road access and people residing along these roads are constantly exposed to health hazard (Alloway, 1993)
The aim of this paper is to ascertain the bioconcentration of heavy metals namely; Lead, Zinc, Iron, Nickel, Cobalt, Cadmium, and Chromium in soils and grasses around high density traffic area of Rukpokwu and low density traffic area of Rumuagholu in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Generally, the levels of heavy metals in grasses along High Density Traffic Area (HDTA) are significantly higher relative to their counterparts on Low Density Traffic Area (LDTA). This is due to greater adsorption of these heavy metals that was from automobile whose number far outnumber those in LDTA

Summary

Introduction

Vegetation and soil pollution has been observed as a result of improved road access and people residing along these roads are constantly exposed to health hazard (Alloway, 1993). Nyagababo et al (1986) reported the deposition of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper from motor traffic on brachiara, einimi and soil along a major Bombo road in Kampala city. Fatoki (1996) reported the level of Zinc and Copper concentration in roadside surface soil and vegetation-measurement of atmospheric pollution in Alice, South Africa. Et al (2010) evaluated the levels of heavy metals in roadside soils of major streets in Jos metropolis. Okunola et al (2007), reported the Levels of trace metals in soil and vegetation along major and minor roads in metropolitan city of Kaduna, Nigeria. Ndiokwere (1984), in a study reported heavy metal pollution from vehicle emission and its effect on vegetable and crops in Nigeria while Yekeen (2012) observed moderate and considerable soil pollution by heavy metals in Odo-Oba and Sabo areas respectively in Ogbomosho. Detailed reports for high density traffic areas like Port Harcourt metropolis in particular are unknown

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