Abstract
The levels of some heavy metals were investigated in selected edible potions of the vegetables; Amarathus caudatus (Spinach) and Hibiscus sabdariffa (Rosella) are grown in Uba area along the Yedzaram River in North Eastern Adamawa State, Nigeria. All samples were randomly collected from two different gardens. The levels of the heavy metals, (Cu, Fe, Cd, Cr and Zn) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (BUK 210 model). In all the samples analyzed, Cd and Cr were not detected. The levels of heavy metals in Farm A for H. sabdariffa leaves ranges from Cu (30.00 ± 0.15 mg/kg to 31.00 ± 0.18 mg/kg), Fe (37.39 ± 0.02 mg/kg to 48.47 ± 0.10 mg/kg), Zn (13.00 ± 0.01 mg/kg to 25.50 ± 0.48 mg/kg), respectively. In Spinach, the results ranged from Cu (34.33 ± 0.42 mg/kg to 34.50 ± 0.05 mg/kg), Fe (31.72 ± 0.71 mg/kg to 43.33 ± 0.02 mg/kg), Zn (21.17 ± 0.14 mg/kg to 10.83 ± 0.17 mg/kg), respectively. The data were analyzed with t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the levels of the heavy metals in the vegetables obtained from Farms A and B. The order of the metal contamination in the vegetables was Fe > Cu > Zn in Farm A and Cu> Fe> Zn in Farm B. The elevated levels of metals in vegetables in the two gardens could be attributed to excessive usage of fertilizers and other agro - chemicals and of course the environmental factors of the areas. The results were however lower than the published threshold values considered toxic for mature plant tissue, except Fe which has higher values. The consumption of these vegetables as food may not pose possible health hazards to human at the time of the study. Key words: Heavy metals, Amarathus caudatus, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Uba area, fertilizers.
Highlights
Eating vegetables is one of the most important pathways for the human body to absorbed dietary mineral, necessary for its healthy developmentbut harmful element such as heavy metals which may lead to intoxication and with prolong accumulation are being found in these vegetables (Elsevier, 2008)
Heavy metals are present in agricultural soils at low levels
Farmers should be educated on the problems associated with excessive usage of fertilizers and other chemicals, as well as irrigating the crops with waste and all sorts of polluted water and the needs to grow crops with safe levels of heavy metals
Summary
Eating vegetables regularly in diet can have many health. Eating vegetables is one of the most important pathways for the human body to absorbed dietary mineral, necessary for its healthy developmentbut harmful element such as heavy metals which may lead to intoxication and with prolong accumulation are being found in these vegetables (Elsevier, 2008). Heavy metals concentrations in soil are associated with biological and geochemical cycles and are influenced by anthropogenic activities such as agricultural practices, industrial activities and waste disposal methods (Ndiokwere and Ezeh, 1990; Usman and Ayodele, 2002; Uwah et al, 2009). Heavy metals are present in agricultural soils at low levels. Due to their cumulative behaviours and toxicity, they have potential, hazardous effect on plants but on human health (Das et al, 1997)
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