scholarly journals Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Contamination Status of Soil around Abandoned and Active Nigerian Dumpsites

Author(s):  
O. O. Afolabi ◽  
O. S. Eludoyin

Aim: The study evaluated the heavy metals and contamination status of soil around active and abandoned waste dumpsites in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: Five soil samples were collected at the topsoil (0-15cm depth) in a regular distance of 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m and 100m from the center of the dumpsites and control plot. The soil samples were analysed for heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Pb and Zn), pH and total Organic C (TOC) using standard laboratory analyses and contamination indices to determine the soil contamination status. Descriptive statistics involving mean and standard deviation were used for the data analysis. Results: The mean concentrations of Cu, Cr, Cd, Fe, Pb and Zn in active dumpsite was 3.2616mg/kg, 0.3983 mg/kg, 0.2027 mg/kg, 6.5785 mg/kg, 2.6991mg/kg and 12.4111mg/kg respectively while that of the abandoned dumpsite are 1.3913mg/kg, 0.3693mg/kg, 0.0882mg/kg, 3.6235mg/kg, 0.4158mg/kg and 4.0140mg/kg respectively. Hence, the soil samples in both dumpsites exceeded the allowable limit of World Health Organisation (WHO). The order of heavy metal concentrations in the dumpsites was Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Cr>Cd. The contamination factor of the heavy metals follows order: Pb > Cu > Cr > Zn > Fe for both dumpsites. The degree of contamination ranged from (1612.51 to 2286.83 for active dumpsite and 26.14 to 641.46 for abandoned dumpsite) indicating very high degree of contamination. Modified degree of contamination ranged from 46.09 to 381.14 for active dumpsite indicating “ultra-high degree of contamination” and 4.36 to 106.91 for abandoned dumpsite indicating high degree of contamination to ultra-high degree of contamination. Pollution Load Index ranged from (5.08 to 8.12 for active and 1.63 to 4.16 for abandoned dumpsite) indicating polluted soil with various heavy metals.   Conclusion: the concentration of heavy metals combined with the contamination indices revealed that the soils around the dumpsites are contaminated/polluted; hence, pose ecological and health-related risk.

2021 ◽  
Vol 306 ◽  
pp. 04013
Author(s):  
Triyani Dewi ◽  
Edhi Martono ◽  
Eko Hanudin ◽  
Rika Harini

Monitoring and assessment of heavy metal concentrations in shallot fields are needed to evaluate the potential risk of contamination due to heavy metals. This study aims to define the status of heavy metal contamination in shallot fields using contamination indices. A total of 184 soil samples (0-20 cm) were taken from shallot fields in Brebes Regency, Central Java. The soil samples were analyzed for the concentration of five heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Co) with HNO3 and HClO4 extracts and measured using AAS. Assessment of the status of heavy metals contamination in the soil using contaminant factor (CF), geo-accumulation index (I-geo), and pollution load index (PLI). The mean concentration in shallot fields showed the following order Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > Cd and the concentration were still below critical limit values. Four metals are Pb, Cr, Co, and Ni are low contamination (CF<1), while Cd is considerable until very high contamination factor. Based on I-geo values, shallot fields are practically uncontaminated of Pb, Co, Ni, and Cr (I-geo<1), meanwhile the status of Cd is uncontaminated to moderately contaminated (0<I-geo<1). Generally, the shallot fields in Brebes Regency, Central Java is unpolluted with five metals (PLI<1).


Author(s):  
Laxmi Kant Sharma

Pollution of natural environment due to release of heavy metals from various sources is a widespread problem throughout the world. This study explains the effect of heavy metal contaminants in Roadside soil of Morena district. Twelve air dried surface soil samples were collected from 50cm – 1m (point A) and twelve from 30m (point B) away from the roadside along a road with a distance of 50 km. Heavy metals were found in both points with highest concentration at 50cm – 1m (point A). Roadside soil is a definite indicator of vehicular pollution from where the high degree of contamination, is expected. The presence of heavy metals like Cu, Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn and Mn in the roadside soil was also considerable.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isiuku Beniah Obinna ◽  
Christian Enyoh

<p>Vegetable consumption is one major exposure route of heavy metal to humans, but few data exist for Imo State. We assessed the contamination levels and associated health risk of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in vegetables (<i>Telfairia occidentalis</i>, <i>Pterocarpus mildbraedii</i>, <i>Gongronenina latifolium</i> and <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i>) that are consumed frequently from markets (n=16) in three zones of Imo State, Nigeria. After wet-digestion of samples, the supernatant were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentrations in the<i> </i>four vegetables ranged from 0.006±0.003 mg/kg to 0.011±0.007 mg/kg for Cd, 0.064±0.012 mg/kg to 1.225±0.226 mg/kg for Co, 10.711±1.968 mg/kg to 25.088±13.975 mg/kg for Cu, 0.062±0.013 mg/kg to 0.307±0.210 mg/kg for Ni, 0.006±0.005 mg/kg to 0.012±0.002 mg/kg for Pb and 63.55±4.055 mg/kg to 104.126±24.080 mg/kg for Zn. Except for Zn, all heavy metals in the various vegetables were below the joint standard of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Although, overall heavy metal load was very low, Zn had the highest contamination factor in vegetables. Heavy metals concentrations in vegetables generally showed low to high variations and statistically different (p < 0.05). Average daily intake was below the provisional tolerance limit except for Zn. The individual hazard index of vegetables for both children and adults were below 1, indicating no potential risk to the public. Overall, heavy metals hazard index were below 1, indicating acceptable level of non-carcinogenic adverse health effect. However, potential multi-element contamination from ingestion is possible as revealed by the correlation profiling of heavy metals. </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2183-2189
Author(s):  
R. Ogunlana ◽  
A.I. Korode ◽  
Z.F. Ajibade

Some heavy metals have bio-importance as trace elements but the bio-toxic effects of many of them in human biochemistry are of great concern. The level of heavy metals concentrations of transformer oil polluted soil was assessed in Akungba Akoko community of Ondo State, Nigeria using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of heavy metals investigated ranges from: Cu (1400-18)mg/kg, Fe (96700- 15500)mg/kg, Cd (2- 0.5)mg/kg, Mn (62-29)kg/mg, Ni(5-1)mg/kg, Al(27-11)mg/kg, Zn(1400- 44)mg/kg, Pd (68-20)mg/kg and Ca (570- 135)mg/kg. From the study, it was observed that some transformer sites had more concentration of heavy metals than others, as a result of the heavy metals content of the transformer soil released to the surrounding soil, while in some samples of these heavy metals were absent or are below detection limit. Comparing the results with the World Health Organisation (W.H.O) maximum allowable limit in soil with results of the results of different samples collected, majority of the results were found to fall below W.H.O limit which implies that those sites are still contamination free with respect to the specific heavy metal and caution needs to be taken urgently to avoid potential contamination. Meanwhile, heavy metal concentration at some sites have gone beyond the W.H.O maximum allowable limit, calling for immediate remediation of the site.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isiuku Beniah Obinna ◽  
Christian Enyoh

<p>Vegetable consumption is one major exposure route of heavy metal to humans, but few data exist for Imo State. We assessed the contamination levels and associated health risk of cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in vegetables (<i>Telfairia occidentalis</i>, <i>Pterocarpus mildbraedii</i>, <i>Gongronenina latifolium</i> and <i>Vernonia amygdalina</i>) that are consumed frequently from markets (n=16) in three zones of Imo State, Nigeria. After wet-digestion of samples, the supernatant were analyzed by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean concentrations in the<i> </i>four vegetables ranged from 0.006±0.003 mg/kg to 0.011±0.007 mg/kg for Cd, 0.064±0.012 mg/kg to 1.225±0.226 mg/kg for Co, 10.711±1.968 mg/kg to 25.088±13.975 mg/kg for Cu, 0.062±0.013 mg/kg to 0.307±0.210 mg/kg for Ni, 0.006±0.005 mg/kg to 0.012±0.002 mg/kg for Pb and 63.55±4.055 mg/kg to 104.126±24.080 mg/kg for Zn. Except for Zn, all heavy metals in the various vegetables were below the joint standard of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO). Although, overall heavy metal load was very low, Zn had the highest contamination factor in vegetables. Heavy metals concentrations in vegetables generally showed low to high variations and statistically different (p < 0.05). Average daily intake was below the provisional tolerance limit except for Zn. The individual hazard index of vegetables for both children and adults were below 1, indicating no potential risk to the public. Overall, heavy metals hazard index were below 1, indicating acceptable level of non-carcinogenic adverse health effect. However, potential multi-element contamination from ingestion is possible as revealed by the correlation profiling of heavy metals. </p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-14
Author(s):  
A.I. Mohammed ◽  
A.A. Ahmed ◽  
J.U. Jibrin

Heavy metal pollution is a global issue of concern which results from both biogenic and anthropogenic activities. Hence, an investigation of soil pollution is pertinent because of its potential threat to human health. The present study examined the concentrations, contamination and pollution load index cum ecological risk factor for some heavy metals in soil samples collected from Borno Express (BOEXP), Tashan Kano (TASKP) and Tashan Bama (TASBP) motor parks within Maiduguri, Borno state of Nigeria. The data obtained showed mean concentration range of 0.34 - 1.18 mg/kg, 0.04 - 0.15 mg/kg, 0.07 - 0.41 and 0.18 - 0.29 mg/kg for Zn, Cr, Cd and Cu respectively. Nonetheless, lead was not detected in any and all samples analyzed. The increasing order of concentrations in the soils followed: Zn > Cu > Cr > Cd, Cu > Cd > Zn > Cr and Cd > Zn > Cu > Cr for BOEXP, TASKP and TASBP motor parks respectively. Notwithstanding, the results showed lower concentrations to the allowable limits of World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, the contamination factor of cadmium in the TASKP fell within the (0.10 – 0.25) category, indicative of slight contamination whereas in TASBP, the calculated value 0.5125 was within (0.51 -0.75) category implying severe contamination. The other heavy metals analyzed showed contamination factor as well as pollution index values < 0.1 indicative of very slight contamination.Keywords: Borno Express, Tashan Kano, Tashan Bama, Motor Parks, Contamination Index.


Author(s):  
Grażyna Kowalska

The presented study was aimed at the determination of the level of contamination with heavy metals (Cd, Pb, As, and Hg) in 240 samples of plant materials, i.e., herbal raw materials, spices, tea, and coffee. Moreover, a probabilistic risk assessment (noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks) was estimated by models including target hazard quotient (THQ) and cancer risk (CR). The samples were subjected to microwave mineralisation with the use of HNO3 (65%), while the determination of the content of the elements was performed with the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP–MS) and a mercury analyser. The element which was characterised by the highest level of accumulation in the analysed samples was lead (from 0.010 to 5.680 mg/kg). Among the heavy metals under analysis, the lowest concentration was noted in the case of mercury (from 0.005 to 0.030 mg/kg). A notably higher level of contamination with heavy metals was noted in the analysed samples of herbs and spices (0.005–5.680 mg/kg), compared to samples of tea and coffee (0.005–0.791 mg/kg). According to the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) concerning the limits of contamination of samples of herbal raw materials with heavy metals, lead levels exceeding the limits were only noted in 24 samples of herbs (18%). In all of the analysed samples of spices, tea, and coffee, no instances of exceeded limits were noted for any of the analysed heavy metals. The values of TTHQmax (in relation to the consumption of the analysed products) were as follows: up to 4.23 × 10−2 for spices, up to 2.51 × 10−1 for herbs, up to 4.03 × 10−2 for China tea, and up to 1.25 × 10−1 for roasted coffee beans. As the value of THQ ≤1, there is no probability of the appearance of undesirable effects related to the consumption of the analysed group of raw materials and products of plant origin. The CR value for As (max. value) was 1.29 × 10−5, which is lower than the maximum acceptable level of 1 × 10−4 suggested by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (8) ◽  
pp. 696-704
Author(s):  
Hassan Malvandi

Background: Sediments in the aquatic ecosystems can be used as suitable indicators for monitoring contaminants. Then, objectives of this study were to evaluate the concentration of heavy metals in the surface sediments of the Mohammad Abad River, to determine the degree of pollution of heavy metals in sediments using some major contamination indices; to identify the major sources (anthropogenic or natural sources) of the studied metals; and to evaluate the “reference river” of the river under study for ecotoxicology studies. Methods: Samples of sediment were taken from six sites of the river. The present study, eleven heavy metals (chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, selenium, magnesium, silver, aluminum and arsenic) were studied. Results: Comparison of metal concentrations with those of Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) showed no association with harmful biological effects for the heavy metals studied except for Se and As. The results of the contamination factor index showed low pollution levels for most metals (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Al), moderate pollution levels for As, and very high pollution levels for Se. The degree of contamination (Cd) and modified degree of contamination (mCd), showing the total contamination of elements, demonstrated very high degree contamination status in the study area. According to the index of quantification of contamination, the values of Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and Al were derived mainly from geogenic sources of enrichment, while the values for Se and As were enriched by anthropogenic source of enrichment. Conclusion: These findings suggest that continuous monitoring of Se and As in sediment and organisms of the Mohammad Abad River should be directed to evaluate the threat of these elements to the public health and to the ecology of the river under study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
David Okechukwu Okeke ◽  
◽  
Jonathan Chinenye Ifemeje ◽  

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-294
Author(s):  
Md Akhter Hossain Chowdhury ◽  
Tanzin Chowdhury ◽  
Md Arifur Rahman

Heavy metal accumulation in environmental compartments is a potential risk to the living system because of their uptake by plants and subsequent introduction into the food chain. A study was carried out to investigate the heavy metal contents in industrially contaminated soils collected from six different locations of Dhaka and Mymensingh districts and their effects on two important vegetables namely tomato and cabbage. Pot experiment was conducted using contaminated soils at the net house of Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA), Mymensingh following completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates. The higher level of heavy metal contents was found in the soil samples of Hajaribag and Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). The highest Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu and Fe contents were 59.45, 18.79, 67.57, 40.81 and 1619.61 µg g−1 which were much above the recommended level except Cu contents. The highest yield of vegetables was obtained grown in Maskanda soil of Mymensingh district and the lowest from DEPZ soil of Dhaka. The highest Ni, Cr and Fe contents were 8.91, 7.22, 419.65 µg g−1, respectively in tomato fruits grown in the soil of Hajaribag whereas the highest Cu content (3.38 µg g−1) was obtained from Seedstore soil, Mymensingh and highest Cd content (2.88 µg g−1) was from Mitford ghat soil, Dhaka. In cabbage, the highest Ni (17.52 µg g−1) and Fe (411.25 µg g−1) contents were found in the soils of DEPZ whereas the highest Cr (9.17 µg g−1), Cd (3.52 µg g−1) and Cu (8.51 µg g−1) were obtained in the plants grown in the soils of Hajaribag, Mitford ghat and Maskanda, respectively. Concentrations of all the tested heavy metals except Cu in both vegetables were above the maximum allowable limit prescribed by the World Health Organization. Among the metals, the accumulation of Ni was found as higher amount (0.39 and 0.71 for tomato and cabbage, respectively) based on plant concentration factor or transfer factor. The results showed a positive correlation between concentration of the metals present in soils and in vegetables and the highest correlation was found with Cr in tomato and Fe in cabbage. However, both the soils and grown vegetables were consistently observed to pose a risk to human health. So, it can be recommended that government should take necessary action so that heavy metals used in the industries cannot come into the nearby agricultural field to ensure food safety as well as food security. J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(3): 288–294, 2019


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document