期刊名称:International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
印刷版ISSN:2328-7659
电子版ISSN:2328-7667
出版年度:2013
卷号:1
期号:2
页码:40-46
DOI:10.11648/j.ijema.20130102.11
语种:English
出版社:Science Publishing Group
摘要:The concentrations of some heavy metals and anions were determined in vegetable samples (spinach (Ama-ranth caudatus), lettuce (lactuca sativa), Cabbage (Brassica olemcea) and Onion (Allium cepa) which were freshly har-vested within four agricultural locations(Mirnga, Zira, Wangaga and Malang) in Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. Metal concentrations in the vegetable samples were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), while anions were determined by Smart spectrophotometer (model 2000). The results for vegetable samples showed that leaves contained much higher concentrations of heavy metals and anions than roots and stems.The concentrations of Cr detected in the vegetable samples ranged from 0.23 to 3.22mg/kg; 0.23 to 3.43mg/kg Mn; 0.23 to 3.45mg/kg Fe; 0.21 to 3.54mg/kg Ni; 0.25 to 4.56mg/kg Pb; 0.87 to 8.34mg/kg Zn; 0.34 to 5.44mg/kg Cd and 0.21 to 3.22mg/kg Cu. These val-ueswere higher than those recommended by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the WHO/EU joint limits. The high levels of these heavy metals place the consumers of these vegetable crops grown within the study area at health risk with time unless an urgent step is taken by relevant agencies to address this issue.