NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
CONCENTRATIONS OF SEVEN HEAVY METALS IN THE LEAVES OF OIL PALM TREE (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS) AND ALMOND TREE (PRUNUS DULCIS) IN STEEL PRODUCTION AREAS OF DELTA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.17.121.1 | Article Number: 47C45A26 | Vol.12 (1) - May 2013
Author: Akporido S. O.
Keywords: dry season, rainy season, Steel production, Heavy metals, Environment
Samples of leaves of two species of plant: oil palm tree (Elaeisis guineensis) and almond tree (Prunus dulcis) were collected from seven sampling stations in the steel production areas of Ovwian and Aladja Towns in Delta State, Nigeria each season (dry and rainy) for two years and analyzed for heavy metals by methods of mixed acid digestion and flame AAS. Results shows that average concentrations of heavy metals in oil palm are: Cu (49±18 mg/kg), Pb (114±91 mg/kg), Ni (21.9±5.6 mg/kg), Cd (6.8±2.0 mg/kg), Zn (250±120 mg/kg), Fe (1020±240 mg/kg), and Mn (430±220 mg/kg), and in almond leaves are: Cu (212±83 mg/kg), Pb (190±120 mg/kg), Ni (24.9±8.0 mg/kg), Cd (8.3±3.1 mg/kg), Zn (680±440 mg/kg), Fe (1230±590 mg/kg) and Mn (1000±640 mg/kg). Concentrations of heavy metals in the study area are significantly higher than the concentrations of corresponding metals in control area.
Allens, S. E. (1989). Chemical analysis of ecological materials. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford
Ayleit, B. J. (1979). Chemistry, biochemistry and biology of cadmium. Webb M. Elsevier,
Amsterdam.
Bryan, G. W. (1971). The effects of heavy metals (other than mercury) on marine and estuarine organisms. Proceedings of the Royal Society London B.177: 389 – 410.
Denton, G. R. W., Marsh, H., Henjohn, G. J. and Bierdon-Jone, C. (1980). The unusual metal status of the Dugong. Marine Biology 57: 201 – 219.
Forstner, U. and Wittman, G. T. W. (1983). Metals in the aquatic environment. Springer
- Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, New York.
Gbaruku, B. C. and Friday, O. U. (2007). Bioaccumulation of heavy metals from soil in some fauna and flora. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology
4(2): 197 – 202.
Langston, W. J. (1990). Toxic effects of metals and the incidence of metal pollution in marine ecosystems. In: Heavy metals in the marine environment (airness, R. W. and Rainbow, P. S. eds). CRS Boca raton FL, pp. 101 – 122.
Levy, D. B., Barbamck, K. A., Siemyer, E. G. and Somer, L. E. (1992). Distribution andPartitioning of Trace Metals in Contaminated Soils near Leadville, Colorado. Journal of Environmental Quality 2: 185 – 195.
Nriagu, J. O. and and Porcyna, J. M. (1988). Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soil by trace metals. Nature 333: 134-139.
Oleveira, A. U. and Autia, M. P. (1984). Geochemistry in mineral exploration, 2nd edn.
Academic Press, London.
Sharma, R. K. and Agrawal, M. (2000). Biological effect of heavy metals: an overview.
http://www.neb.../query.figicmd= Retrieved &db=PubMed&Listwids=16334259&dept=Abstract8/600.Retrieved 16/03/2006.
Yusuf, A. A., Arowolo, T. A. and Bamgbose, O. (2003). Cadmium, copper and nickel levels in vegetable from industrial and residential areas of Lagos City, Nigeria. Food and