Response of Tradescantia plants to oxidative stress induced by heavy metal pollution of soils from industrial areas

Background. Heavy metal pollution in industrial and residential areas in cities has become a public health issue in Ghana. Anecdotal evidence suggests that most industrial areas have elevated levels of heavy metals in soil. As a result of poor zoning and unregulated activities, large sections of seemingly industrial areas are also used as residential areas. There have been no studies on the levels of heavy metal contamination in such mixed activity locations. Objectives. The study was undertaken to identify possible heavy metals and their concentrations in soil samples collected from the Suame Industrial Area, Kumasi, Ghana. Methods. Soil samples were collected, processed and the concentration of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) were analyzed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Results. The concentration of all metals exceeded the threshold limit values (TLV). They also exceeded the European Soil Bureau Network (ESBN) maximum allowable limits (MAL), and are therefore considered to be pollutants. The results, expressed as mean concentration±standard deviation mg/kg (percent above TLV) were Pb: 414.83±159.38 mg/kg (418.9%), Cr: 264.84±189.15 mg/kg (353.1%), Co: 68.15±34.12 mg/kg (227.2%), Cu: 265.82±80.53 mg/kg (354.4%) and Zn: 3,215.84±4,074.54 mg/kg (1,607.9%). Furthermore, the concentrations of Pb and Co exceeded the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) residential soil regional screening levels (RSLs). Conclusions. The elevated metal concentrations found in the present study demonstrate that the site is heavily polluted with Pb, Co and Cr. This is attributed to unregulated activities at the site; therefore, measures should be put in place to ameliorate the effects of potential heavy metal toxicity to workers, local residents and the environment. Re-zoning of activities and clear demarcation of residential and industrial areas is advocated.

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Heavy metals pollution indexing, geospatial and statistical approaches of groundwater within Challawa and Sharada industrial areas, Kano City, North-Western Nigeria

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-021-04662-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Hassan Hamidu ◽

Falalu B. Halilu ◽

Kwaya M. Yerima ◽

Lawal M. Garba ◽

Arabi A. Suleiman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Heavy Metal ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Metal Pollution ◽

Heavy Metal Pollution ◽

Pollution Index ◽

World Health ◽

Pollution Indices ◽

Industrial Areas ◽

Pollution Status

Abstract The present study focused on pollution status of groundwater in the industrial areas of Challawa and Sharada in Kano city based on pollution indices, statistical and spatial analyses. Twenty groundwater samples representing groundwater of the studied areas (Ten from each area) were analyzed for the presence of Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed 95%, 5%, 60%, 15% and 25% of the analyzed water samples had detectable Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, and Mn above the drinking water limits of both Nigerian standards for drinking water quality NSDWQ and World Health Organization (WHO) with Cd dominating other analyzed heavy metals in the groundwater. Evaluation of heavy metal pollution revealed a low polluted status based on the contaminant index (Cd), synthetic pollution index, heavy metals evaluation index, and heavy metal pollution index. Metal index categorized the groundwater as seriously polluted. The statistical evaluation gave strong and positive correlations between indices and a moderate one between the metallic ions. Component analysis revealed a strongly positive loading of Fe, Ni and Zn while Cd had a strong negative loading. Cr and Mn were positive and moderately loaded. Statistical analyses suggested both anthropogenic and geogenic sources for the heavy metals mainly from the industrial and agricultural practices and rock weathering processes, respectively. This study is expected to be a useful tool in the planning, monitoring and mitigation of pollution activities in the area. Article Highlights The pollution status of groundwater with respect to heavy metals was investigated in the Challawa and Sharada industrials zones in Kano city Nigeria The concentration of Cd, Fe, Ni, Cr Mn and Zn was determined using the AAS Different Pollution indices of HPI, HEI, SPI, Cd and MI were utilized to categorized the area as low, medium and highly polluted. Spatial and temporal distribution maps demarcated based on the metal concentrations and computed indices in the area. CA, PCA, and HCA were used to identified the geochemistry, relationship, sources and origin of heavy metals in groundwater. The study revealed zones with low to high-risk groundwater in terms of toxic heavy metals and pollution status.

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