AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF TANNERY EFFLUENT ON VEGETABLES PLANTED IN CHALLAWA RIVER BASIN, KANO STATE, NIGERIA
Authors: *Uwadiae S.E, Agboun D.T, Aluyor E.O
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) in cabbage cultivated along Challawa river basin in Kano state, Nigeria have been investigated. Cabbage samples collected were thoroughly washed with distilled water, cut into tiny bits and air dried. The dried samples were pulverized, passed through 1 mm sieve and digested. The heavy metal levels in the digested samples were determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The levels of heavy metals in samples followed the order: sampling station 1> sampling station 2> sampling station 3. The ranges of the concentrations were 0.46 - 0.76 mg/kg, 0.21- 0.51 mg/kg, 0.24 - 0.47 mg/kg and 1.87-5.32 mg/kg for lead, cadmium, chromium and zinc respectively. The mean of lead, chromium and cadmium levels in samples from the study area were found to be higher than the WHO/FAO safe limits for edible vegetables. The mean level of zinc in edible cabbage tissues from the study area was found to be within the WHO/FAO safe limits for edible vegetables. It was also generally observed that the mean heavy metals levels in samples from the control station were within the WHO/FAO acceptable limits.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
Keywords: Tannery Effluent, Heavy Metals, Cabbage, Health Hazards, Assessment
Published date: 2017/12/30
