Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in frequently consumed leafy vegetable grown along Nigeria-Benin Seme Border, West Africa
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Date
2014
Authors
Osundiya, M.O
Ayejuyo, O.O
Olowu, R. A
Bamgboye, O.A
Ogunlola, A.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Advances in Applied Science Research
Abstract
Vegetable growing along major highways with heavy vehicular movement has been a serious concern to food safety
specialist in large cities. The contributions of heavy metals in selected vegetables through atmospheric deposition
were quantified using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The level of some heavy metal (.Pb, Cu, Fe, and Cr)
were examined in the edible portion of Telfciria occidentals, Corchorus olitorius, Celocia argentea, and Thymus
Vulgaries, grown along Nigeria-Republic of Benin border Seme. The results showed that the levels of heavy metal
ranged from 21.69 ± 7.36 μg/g Cu to172.87 ±62.05 μg/g Fe in Telfaria occidentalis, 21.74±13.00 μg/g Pb to
304.50±72.77 μg/g Fe in Corchorus olitorius, 16.75±10.54 μg/g Pb to 260.74±215.37 μg/g Fe in Celocia argentea
and 23.53±3.52 μg/g Cu to 406.33±225.06 μg/g Fe in Thymus Vulgaries were recorded in site A. The value heavy
metal contamination obtained from site B ranged from 18.91±11.98 μg/g Pb to 166.49 ± 86.22 μg/g Fe in Telfaria
occidentalis, 16.57± 9.22 μg/g Pb to 292.36±196.33 μg/g Fe in Corchorus olitorius, 19.99±8.54 μg/g Pb to
354.03±302.80 Fe in Celocia argentea and 21.73±8.44 μg/g Pb to 388.20±226.39 μg/g Fe in Thymus Vulgaries. The
order of contamination in the vegetable sample was Fe > Cr > Cu > Pb. The data were analyzed with t-test and
ANOVA. There were no significant different between the (p< .05) between the level of heavy metal in vegetable at
each sampling site. The high levels of metal in the sampled vegetable may be attributed to excessive application of
fertilizers and other agro chemical, as well the use of use of waste water for washing the vegetables. The obtained
results were higher than the threshold value of WHO, FEPA and China stipulated standards for mature plant tissue
except for copper in all the analyzed vegetable. Therefore, the consumption of these vegetables as food may pose
possible health hazards to human.
Description
Keywords
Telfaria occidentalis , Corchorus olitorius , Celoria argentea and Thymus Vulgaries , Fertilizer , Bioaccumulation , leafy vegetable
Citation
Osundiya, M. O., Ayejuyo, O. O., Olowu, R. A., Bamgboye, O. A., & Ogunlola, A. O. (2014). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in frequently consumed leafy vegetable grown along Nigeria-Benin Seme Border, West Africa. Pelagia Research Library, 5(1), 1-7.