Abstract
Pot experiment was set up to assess the levels of heavy metals accumulation in leaves and tubers of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) grown in crude oil contaminated soil in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Three cassava cultivars were used for the study viz: NR-8082, TMS-30572 and a Local variety (LV). The crops were planted in pots and nurtured to maturity. They were then assessed for the concentrations of the following heavy metals: Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn and Fe in both the leaves and tubers using standard laboratory procedures. Data analysis was carried out using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significantly different means were separated using the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The analysis revealed that TMS accumulated the highest quantities of these metals, followed by NR and lastly, the local variety (V), this being a function of biomass production. Transfer Factors also proved the order of accumulation of this heavy metal as: TMS > NR > LV. Generally, the order of prevalence of heavy metal in both the leaves and the tubers was: Fe > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cr. This study revealed that crude oil pollution is increasingly raising the levels of heavy metals in the soils of Niger Delta and these metals are being taken up by plants including cassava, which is the most important staple food crop of the area. Consequently, crops farmers are advised against cultivating at crude oil contaminated sites for the risk of accumulation of heavy metals in plant tissues. Keywords: Cassava, Heavy Metal, Crude Oil, Contamination Soil, Accumulation
Highlights
Environmental pollution in the past few decades has become a topical issue
According to Agbogisi et al (2005), Nigeria is a major producer and exporter of crude petroleum oil and continues to experience oil spills and this exposes the environment to hazards and its attendant effects on agricultural lands as well as on plant growth and development
Pb Transfer factors of leaves were in the order of TMS > NR > Local variety (LV) while that of the tubers were TMS > NR = LV
Summary
Environmental pollution in the past few decades has become a topical issue. This is as a result of increase in oil exploration activities and related industrial development. (Osuji et al, 2005). This research was designed to investigate heavy metal accumulation in leaves and tubers of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grown in crude oil contaminated soil in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria.
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