Abstract
The study evaluates heavy metals in soil used for Potato cultivation by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy in awi Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. In this study, 75 soil samples from three agricultural areas, namely: Guaguasa Shikudad, Fagita Lecoma and Banja districts were collected and analyzed for Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The results obtained revealed that the mean heavy metal concentrations for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cu, and Zn were 75.33–77.00mg/kg, 17.11–18.76mg/kg, 60.26-101.78mg/kg, 125.17-383.39mg/kg and 244.20—287.87mg/kg respectively. In general, the level of metals in soil collected from the sampling sites are found to be decreased in the order of: Cu>Zn>Ni>Pb>Cd. Soil analysis showed that the concentration of Cu, Cd and Ni higher than permissible levels there WHO/FAO thresholds for agricultural soils the soil is polluted by toxic heavy metals (Cu, Cd and Ni). Therefore, the soils studied were harmful for the cultivation of potatoes and other agricultural purposes.
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