SCREENING OF SOME HEAVY METALS IN SOIL, SEDIMENTS, SPINACH AND CABBAGE FROM IRRIGATED FARMLANDS IN NARAGUTA, JOS, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigated heavy metal accumulation in soil, sediments and the metal concentration in two irrigated vegetables in an irrigation land at Naraguta Area of Jos  North Local Government Area Plateau State. The study was investigated using the Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. The total metal concentrations determined in soil and sediments were, Pb, 6.66mg/kg and 106mg/kg: Cd 4.33mg/kg and 0.66mg/kg; Cr, 32mg/kg and 61.33mg/kg; and Mn683.33mg/kg and 450mg/kg respectively. The concentrations exceed the WHO/FAO permissible limits. Pb in spinach and cabbage were Pb, 20.66mg/kg and 7.99mg/kg and Cd 2.06mg/kg and 4.66mg/kg Cr 76.99mg/kg and 46.33mg/kg and Mn92.mg/kg and 165.66mg/kg respectively. The cumulative factor of spinach and cabbage showed that spinach accumulated; Pb; 3.1 times ; Cd, 1.15 times Cr 2.40 times; and Mn, 0.13times concentration soil while cabbage accumulated; Pb, 1.19 times Cd, 1.07times; Cr, 1.44times; and Mn0.42 times. The concentrations of metals in soluble from where Pb,0.30mg/kg; Cr, was not detected; Cr, 0.68mg/kg; Mn,1.2mg/kg. The metals were within the WHO/FAO range. For carbonate and exchangeable fractions in soil Pb and Cd were not detected; Cr, 53mg/kg and 43mg/kg and Mn35.1mg/kg and not detected respectively. Carbonate and exchangeable in sediments were; Pb, 29.5mg/kg and not detected; Cd, not detected and 0.5mg/kg; Cr, was not detected in both carbonate and exchangeable and Mn, 288mg/kg and 139.5mg/kg respectively.