Abstract
The study was conducted on the Jos Plateau metropoly and its environs in Jos North, parts of Jos South and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Central Nigeria. The studied area covered south eastern part of Naraguta sheet 168 NE, extends down North eastern part of Kurra sheet 189NE bounded by Longitude 8˚50΄E to 9˚00΄E and Latitude 9˚ 26΄N to 9˚43΄N respectively. This area sampled covers a land mass of about 586.25 square kilometer. This study begins from May, 2009 to March, 2016 at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom. The aim was to investigate the effect of trace elements from consumption of crops cultivated on mine domes (spoils). The results presented in this paper refer to Tomato and Irish-potato, which are the most popular crops planted in that area in 2009-2016 respectively. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry(ED-XRFS) method was employed for the analysis of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr and Mn. This study concluded that all those concentrations are well below threshold limit values accepted in Nigeria. No significant differences in Cu, Pb and Cr concentrations between the tested Tomato and Irish-potato were found. Zinc concentration in Potato was significantly lower than in Irish potato. Generally, the study concluded that plant samples were found to have major, minor and mostly trace elements’ concentrations below the safe values. However, Pb that has high concentration above the safe value (threshold limit) in Potato is advised not to be cultivated around mine domes, because of its health adverse effects on the inhabitants.
Highlights
Trace elements play a significant role in many metabolic processes in plant organisms, but at excessive concentrations, in soluble forms and available to plants, can cause phytotoxic symptoms
The purpose of the present study was to assess the concentrations of some selected heavy metals in tomato fruits and Irish potato tubers cropped in an immediate vicinity of mine domes, of Jos metropoly and its environs
Raymond Revelation Dakar et al.: Effect of Trace Elements from Consumption of Crops Cultivated on Mine
Summary
Trace elements play a significant role in many metabolic processes in plant organisms, but at excessive concentrations, in soluble forms and available to plants, can cause phytotoxic symptoms. Plant response to high contamination of soil and air with heavy metals is extremely variable and depends on many environmental factors [1] [2]. Soluble and colloidal forms of heavy metals suspended in a soil solution are the most important for plant uptake, and the most important factors influencing their availability and their total concentration and soil reaction [3]. The accumulation of heavy metals and metalloids in agricultural soil is of increasing concern nowadays. Excessive accumulation in agricultural soils results in soil contamination and has consequences for food quality and safety.
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