Assessment of Macro-Nutrient Content in Plants in Wet and Dry Season at Coal Mining Sites in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbonna PC, Nzegbule EC, Okorie PE
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to assess the impact of coal mining on macronutrient (Ca, Mg, K, N, and P) content in plant species at Akwuke and Iva in Enugu State, Nigeria. Leaf samples were collected randomly from different plant species (Andropogon gayanus, Irvingia gabonensis, Dialium guinense, Mangifera indica, Alchornea cordifolia, Icacina trichantha, and Manihot esculenta) and were processed. The plant samples were cleaned sequentially and placed in large clean crucibles where they were oven dried at 60 oC for 72 h. Thereafter, the dried plant samples were milled and analyzed separately. The results indicate that the highest values of macronutrient (Ca=13.36±0.25, Mg=350.10±0.42, K=607.30±3.82, N=2.28±0.20, and P=0.40±0.03 cmol/kg) at the two mining sites were observed in plants sampled from Akwuke mining site during the dry season. Andropogon gayanus assimilated more macronutrient (Mg, N, ang P) than the other plant species, which suggest that A. gayanus could be used for fast reclamation of mine sites. Strong significant positive correlation occurred between Mg and K (r=0.566, p<0.05) as well as N and P (r=0.523, p<0.05) in plant in wet season at Akwuke mining site.
Affiliations: Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
Keywords: Macro-nutrient, Plants, Coal Mines, Wet And Dry Season, Enugu State
Published date: 2019/06/30
