Abstract
Introduction: Pollution of the environment by heavy metals has caused serious environmental problems, which threatens the existence of various ecological system, agriculture and human health. This study assessed the comparative analysis of some heavy metals levels in leaves, peels and tubers of cassava planted along East-West Road Rivers State.
 Materials/Methods: Cassava leaves and tubers samples were collected from farmlands along East-West road (SX, SY and SZ communities, in Emohua, Tai, and Ahoada West LGA respectively), Rivers state, Nigeria. The samples were monitored for heavy metals levels to assess the impact of automobiles on cassava peels, leaves and tubers using Solar Thermo Elementary Atomic Absorption Spectrometer, ModelSG 71906. Metals studied were Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), and Arsenic (As).
 Results: The mean concentration of Ni present in leaf was 2.81±0.104 mg/kg, tubers recorded 2.23±0.073 mg/kg and peels 3.20±0.06 mg/kg. The highest concentration (4.064±0.035 mg/kg) of Ni was observed in peels while the least concentration (1.80±1.023 mg/kg) was recorded in the tubers. The mean values of Pb in leaves, tubers and peels were 2.22±1.023 mg/kg, 1.80±1.023 mg/kg and 2.64±0.32, highest concentration was recorded in tubers. Arsenic values were 0.16±0.020 mg/kg > 0.51±0.021 mg/kg > 0.38±0.203 mg/kg in peels, tubers and leaves respectively. The values of As were above WHO safe limit of 0.1mg/kg. Also, the mean values of cadmium in leaves, tubers and peels were 0.054±0.570 mg/kg, 0.046±0.057 mg/kg and 0.16±0.609 mg/kg respectively. The highest concentration (0.138±0.109 mg/kg) was in the tubers. Finally, chromium was found to be present in all the cassava samples (leaves, peels and tubers). The mean concentration of chromium (Cr) was 3.58±0.023 mg/kg, 2.76±0.005 mg/kg and 3.83±0.203 mg/kg in leaves, tubers and peels respectively.
 Conclusion: From the findings, heavy metals were found in the samples and thus, crops should be cultivated far away from major roads.
Highlights
Pollution of the environment by heavy metals has caused serious environmental problems, which threatens the existence of various ecological system, agriculture and human health
The mean concentrations of cadmium in the various cassava peels, leaves and tubers were within the range of the values recorded by Dioborfori-Orji and Edori 2015 (0.04± 0.00 mg/kg) Dibofori-Orji and Edori (2015), Essumang 2015 (0.002 mg/kg) Essumang (2015), Enemugwem et al, 2016 (0.18 mg/kg), Idakwoji 2016 (0.02± 0.01mg/kg) Idakwoji, 2016, and lower than 2.6 mg/kg reported by Mbong et al, 2014 (2.6mg/kg) Mbong et al (2014)
This study revealed the various concentrations of some metals: Pb, Cd As, Ni, and Cr in cassava leaves, peels and tubers collected from different farmlands along major highways in Rivers State, Nigeria
Summary
Pollution of the environment by heavy metals has caused serious environmental problems, which threatens the existence of various ecological system, agriculture and human health. This study assessed the comparative analysis of some heavy metal’s levels in leaves, peels and tubers of cassava planted along East-West Road Rivers State. The mean values of Pb in leaves, tubers and peels were 2.22±1.023 mg/kg, 1.80±1.023 mg/kg and 2.64±0.32, highest concentration was recorded in tubers. Arsenic values were 0.16±0.020 mg/kg > 0.51±0.021 mg/kg > 0.38±0.203 mg/kg in peels, tubers and leaves respectively. The mean values of cadmium in leaves, tubers and peels were 0.054±0.570 mg/kg, 0.046±0.057 mg/kg and 0.16±0.609 mg/kg respectively. Chromium was found to be present in all the cassava samples (leaves, peels and tubers). The mean concentration of chromium (Cr) was 3.58±0.023 mg/kg, 2.76±0.005 mg/kg and 3.83±0.203 mg/kg in leaves, tubers and peels respectively. Conclusion: From the findings, heavy metals were found in the samples and crops should be cultivated far away from major roads
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