Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article

Levels of heavy metals in soils and food crops cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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Physicochemical properties
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Submitted   Jul 9, 2021
Published   Aug 12, 2021
Issue    Vol 2 No 1 (2021)
DOI   10.25082/HE.2021.01.003

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David Okechukwu Okeke corresponding author
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, Nigeria
Jonathan Chinenye Ifemeje
Department of Biochemistry, Chukwukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Univerisity, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

The level of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Mg, Ca, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, Ag, Co, Mo, Se and Al) in soils and food crops (okra, cassava and rice) cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using FS240AA Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) according to the method of American Public Health Association (APHA). Soil samples were collected from Enyigba mining site, Ikwo mining site, AmeriAmekamining site, Izza mining site, MkpumeAkwatakwa mining site and MpumeAkwaokuku mining site while the food crop samples (okra, cassava and rice) were collected from the farmlands within the mining sites. Control samples were collected 500m away from the mining destinations were there was no evidence of mining activities on the soils. A total of sixty sub-samples and six control soil samples were collected for this study. Generally, the values of all the heavy metals analyzed for soil and food crop samples were higher than the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and those from the control site suggesting possible mobility of the metals from mining sites to farmlands through leaching and runoffs. The findings in this study also revealed that the food crops contain heavy metals exceeding the maximum permissible concentration, and could be detrimental to human health when they are consumed.

Keywords
heavy metals, physicochemical, soils, food crops, mining site

Article Details

Supporting Agencies
The authors are grateful to the Laboratory Staff of Springboard Research Laboratories, Udoka Housing Estate Awka. The technical and logistics support of Engr. Clement Johnson of the New Concept Laboratories is highly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged.
How to Cite
Okeke, D., & Ifemeje, J. (2021). Levels of heavy metals in soils and food crops cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Health and Environment, 2(1), 84-95. https://doi.org/10.25082/HE.2021.01.003
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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