Elemental Characterization of Rice Husk Ash from Local Rice Species in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals such as Cr, Zn, As, Pb and Cu can be hazardous to health and the environment. The focus of this study is to investigate the trace metal constituents of rice husk ash (RHA) from Ikwo and Izzi rice clusters. RHA of Izzi CP, R8 and Ikwo CP rice husk species were sampled. Elemental characterization was done using X-ray fluorescence method. A total of 14 elements (K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb, As, Br, Sr and Ga) were detected in the rice husk species except in Izzi CP where Ga was not detected. The concentration of these elements in weight percent (wt. %) were compared with literature. Elements like, K, Ca, Fe, and Mn were found to be in negligible concentrations in all the samples while Ga, Rb, Cu, Cr, Zn, As and Ni were found to be well above the literature values. The X-ray fluorescence analysis of the samples showed that some toxic heavy metals like Cr, As, Ni, and Cu were of high concentrations compared to literature which for health reasons are not advisable to have long term exposure.