Determination of Heavy Metal and Macronutrients in Hyperiodrilus africanus (Earthworm) and Scolopendra cingulata (Centipede) at Coal Mining Sites in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ogbonna PC, Nzegbule EC, Okorie PE
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
Earthworms and centipedes from two mined sites were analyzed for heavy metals (Ni, Pb, Cd, Fe, As) and macro-nutrients (Ca, Mg, K, N, P). Highest concentrations of Ni (18.94 ± 0.74 mg/kg), Pb (13.01 ± 0.07 mg/kg), and Fe (580.00 ± 1.41 mg/kg) was observed in earthworm while Cd (0.22 ± 0.04 mg/kg) and As (0.005 ± 0.001 mg/kg) were highest in centipede during wet season at Iva mine. Levels of Ni, Pb, Fe, Cd, and As in Akwuke mine ranged from 5.48 ± 6.11 (dry season) to 10.10 ± 0.71 (wet season), 0.84 ± 0.06 (dry season) to 8.04 ± 0.07 (wet season), 122.80 ± 3.96 (dry season) to 396.00 ± 1.56 (wet season), 0.03 ± 0.01 (wet season) to 0.12 ± 0.08 (wet season) and 0.001 ± 0.000 (wet season) to 0.003 ± 0.001 (wet season) mg/kg respectively which was lower than 4.20 ± 0.13 to 18.94 ± 0.74, 1.73 ± 0.06 to 13.01 ± 0.07, 151.20 ± 3.11 to 580.00 ± 1.41, 0.01 ± 0.00 to 0.22 ± 0.04 and 0.002 ± 0.014 to 0.005 ± 0.001 mg/kg respectively at Iva mine during the wet season. Highest content of Ca (6.01 ± 0.04 cmol/kg), Mg (190.60 ± 2.83 cmol/kg), K (150.00 ± 2.26 cmol/kg), and N (1.28 ± 0.18 cmol/kg) were recorded in earthworm while P (3.04 ± 0.08 cmol/kg) was higher in centipede in wet season at Akwuke mine. The use of metal-contaminated earthworm is a route of entry of heavy metals along the food chain.
Affiliations: Department of Environmental Management and Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
Keywords: Earthworm, Centipede, Heavy Metal, Macronutrient, Wet And Dry Season
Published date: 2019/06/30
