Authors : M.O. Aremu, A. Olonisakin and S.A. Ahmed
Abstract: The levels of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and ercury (Hg) content were determined in samples of maize, (Zea mays) guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor), bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) obtained in six different locations along some roads within Nasarawa State, Nigeria by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometery in order to assess the effect of accumulation of the metals of interest on crops as a measure of environmental pollution. The mineral mean value for different locations ranged between: Fe (1.6-18.0, 0.75-7.0; 1.0-29.0 and 2.0-20.0), Zn (2.5-3.1; 2.0-10.2. 0 and 1. 0- 4.0), Cu (0.32-0.42; 0.6-2.0; 1.0-7.0 and 0.48-3.5), Mn (0.03-0.56; 0.31-2.0; 0.5-22 and 0.6-4.5), Pb (0.35-1.35; 1.0-2.1; 1.0-44.0 and 3.2-15.1), Cd (0.15-0.22; 0.15-0.9; 1.0-2.0 and 0.5-1.0) and Hg (not available; 0.1-0.3; 1.0-1.2 and 0.2-1.2) mg/100 g samples of maize, guinea corn, bambara groundnut and cowpea, respectively. The results showed that exhaust gas being released from the automobiles can contribute to the level of lead present in crops and the studied crops can contribute significant amount of cadmium toxicity in diet.
Aremu, M.O. , A. Olonisakin and S.A. Ahmed , 2006. Assessment of Heavy Metal Content in Some Selected Agricultural Products Planted Along Some Roads in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1: 199-204.