Abstract
The aim of this study was to use AAS to determine the levels of concentration (g/kg) of heavy metals: copper (Cu),Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and Cadmuim (Cd) uptake by pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves cultivated in Pots containing varying concentrations of contaminated soil samples labeled A to E. The results showed that leaves from soil sample A had heavy metal concentration level of Cd: 0.268, Ni:0.040, Pb:0.033, Fe:0.025 and Cu: 0.003. The order of uptake was Cd> Ni> Pb> Fe> Cu. In soil sample B, the concentration level of the metals were Fe:0.091, Cd:0.406, Ni:0.118, Pb:0.058 and Cu:0.006. The order of uptake was Cd> Fe>Ni> Pb> Cu. Results from soil sample C showed that the level of heavy metal concentration in the leaves were: Fe:0.311, Cd:0.380 Pb:0.204, Ni:0.116 and Cu:0.029. The order of uptake is Cd> Fe> Pb> Ni> Cu. In soil sample D, the results were Fe:0.101, Cd:0.087, Ni:0.070, Pb:0.07 and Cu:0.004. The order was Fe> Cd> Ni= Pb> Cu. The results from soil sample E gave the concentration levels as Fe:0.266, Cd:0.135, Ni:0.122, Pb:0.017 and Cu:0.004. The order of uptake wasFe> Cd> Ni> Pb> Cu. The result for the uncontaminated soil sample F, showed that the heavy metal concentration levels were Fe:0.035 Cu:0.003, Pb:0.008, Cd:0.050 and Ni:0.008. The order of concentration levels was Cd> Fe> Ni= Pb> Cu. The findings of this study reveal that pumpkin leaves biaccumulate Cd more, followed by Fe while Cu was the least. Consequently, any agricultural soil suspected to have high concentrations of Cd, Fe, Ni and Pb will not be suitable for use in the cultivation of pumpkin leaves meant for human consumption or animal feed. This because the ingestion level of these metals are far above the WHO tolerable limit. However, pumpkin plants can serve as a good scavenger of Cd and Fe in polluted soil. © JASEM
Highlights
The determination of the level of uptake of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cd) in pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves has become imperative since it is the most cultivated and consumed vegetable in Port Harcourt metropoly
Table1: Levels of heavy metal ingested by pumpkin leaves in different contaminated soils
1 Heavy metal concentration(g) in contaminated soil Levels of heavy metals ingested by leaves(g/kg) (Pot A)
Summary
The determination of the level of uptake of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Cd) in pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis) leaves has become imperative since it is the most cultivated and consumed vegetable in Port Harcourt metropoly. Echem (2010) has reported high level of Pb and Cd in cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) harvested from oil polluted soil in Ogoni land. Van (1998) in his study, estimated the amount of Cd ingested by man that comes from terrestrial foods to be 98%. This study confirms earlier investigation carried out by Elinder (1985) and WHO (1984) which reported that terrestrial foods grown in contaminated soil contain high level of Cd. Lead has no known beneficial effect to man (Tyler 1981, and Moly 1984). According to Fatoki (2003), about 7% of the lead in the soil is taken up by plants
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
