Studies of the Concentration Levels of Heavy Metals in Vegetable (Amaranthus

caudatus) Grown in Dumpsites within Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria.

G.O. Adewuyi, Ph.D.1*; F.A. Dawodu, Ph.D.1; and N.N. Jibiri, Ph.D.2
1
Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
2
Department of Physics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
*
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

ABSTRACT profile (Clarkson et al., 1983, Adeniyi et al., 1993,

and Adeniyi, 1996) the effect of this is that their
Samples of Amaranthus caudatus grown on some concentration may reach toxic levels (Singh and
dump sites at different locations in the Lagos Narwal, 1984) resulting in increased health risk to
metropolis were analyzed for their heavy metal humans through exposure pathways especially if
concentrations using atomic absorption plant materials are cultivated on such dumpsite
spectrophotometer (AAS). The results obtained soils and subsequently consumed.
revealed that the metals are present in the
following order of concentration Fe> Cu> Pb> Amaranthus caudatus is a common leafy
Zn> Mn> Cd. The average values of the heavy vegetable and is locally called Tete. It is grown
metals obtained for vegetable samples at control both in wet and dry seasons and harvested
sites are about 35% less than those at the between 30-40 days after planting. Because of its
dumpsite. The pH values of the soil samples at nutritional importance and demand it is widely
the dumpsites are also relatively higher than the cultivated especially in the South-Western part of
control. Most of the metals in the dumpsites have Nigeria. Its leaf contains high levels of vitamins A,
impacted the soil environment but copper calcium, and potassium, and its edible seeds are
concentrations were found to be much higher rich in protein (Gubben, 1997). However, due to
than normal range in the mineral soil decline in soil fertility, increased prices, and non-
environment. The hazardous effects of those availability of fertilizers, other alternatives means
metals on plants and humans have been are being employed to source for
discussed based on the results obtained from the manure/compost. One such source at the local
national and international standards as well as level is the use of dumpsites and animal manure
the available literature. areas. In the urban centers such as Lagos the
cultivation of staple vegetables at dumpsites is
(Keywords: Amaranthus caudatus, dumpsite, Lagos common. Unlike in the local areas, the composite
metropolis, heavy metals, vegetables) dumps in the urban centers such as Lagos
metropolis are mostly wastes from residential,
commercial, and industrial areas.
INTRODUCTION
Lagos, the economic nerve center of Nigeria, has
Heavy metals are of considerable environmental a problem of a growing population, industrial
concern due to their toxicity and accumulative waste generation which is immensely diverse in
behaviors (Purves, 1985). Their uptake by plants nature, and an inherently urbanized lifestyle. This
from soil is largely determined by their presence accounts for the magnitude of waste generated
in the environment based on their chemical and the presence of different dumpsites across
specification, soil particle and size, organic matter the metropolis. Plate (a) shows a typical dumpsite
content, salinity, pH, etc. (Solomon and in Ojota, Lagos.
Forestener, 1984 and Knock et al., 1989).
Although all trace elements are natural The objectives of this paper therefore was to
constituents of soil, the dumping of wastes on soil investigate the concentration levels of heavy
has been found to increase their heavy metal metals in Amaranthus caudatus grown in

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dumpsite soils within Lagos metropolis and in the metropolis. Figure 1 shows the locations
provide the necessary information of the where samples were collected including the
consequences on the human life. control sites. At each dumpsite the edible leafs of
different plants of Amaranthus candatus were
collected to a depth of about 150 mm beneath the
plant. A control site at a distance of 500m away
from each dumpsite was chosen for comparative
analysis of the leaf and soil samples.

Sample Preparation

Each sample of the vegetable leaf was washed

thoroughly with water to remove soil and other
particles on the leaf. Effort was made to ensure
Plate A: Ojota Dumpsite. that the washing was done in the manner that is
representative of local practices as possible and
the samples were then left to dry at the room
MATERIALS AND METHODS temperature. The dried samples were crushed
and stored in labeled polythene bags prior to
Sample Collection analysis. The soil samples were similarly air-
dried, crushed, and sieved and were put in
Five dumpsites within the metropolis were labeled polythene bags. The extracts from the
selected for the study. They were identified leaf samples of Amaranthus caudaus were
dumpsites with the cultivation of the vegetables. analyzed for heavy metals using Atomic
The sites were taken across the length and Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) (Philips
breadth of Lagos and therefore may be Model Pu 9100x).
representative of the practices in deferent areas

Figure 1: Locations where Samples were Collected.

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The extraction procedure followed was in The copper in the soil samples with a mean
accordance to the Association of Official concentration of 230 mglkg is above the normal
Analytical Chemist (1990). Each 2g of the range 2-100 mg/kg (Bohn et at., 1979) in the
crushed leaf was incinerated to white ash at mineral soil environment and is significantly
550°C for 2 hrs in a porcelain crucible. The ash above the data obtained for the control samples.
was subsequently dissolved in 10mI of 5M HCI Copper is very toxic to most plants, and highly
and evaporated to dryness. The samples were toxic to mammals (Udosen, 1994). Copper
evaporated to dryness on a water-bath using a concentration levels above normal range are
crucible for 15 min; thereafter the residue was highly dangerous and pose health risks to the
reconstituted in 20 ml water and 10ml HCI in a environment.
250ml flask and boiled and for 1 hr after which the
mixture was allowed to cool at room temperature. The concentration of lead in the soil samples
The heavy metal analysis of the soil samples ranged from 58-115 mg/kg with a mean of 93.3
were analyzed using the methods reported by mg/kg (Table 1). This is below the formal range
Allen et al. (1974) while the soil pH was (2-200 mg/kg) (Bohnet et aI., 1979; Kabata,
determined using the methods described by Benqias, and Pendias, 2001) in the mineral soil
Selema and Farrago (2000). environment indicating that the soil is not polluted
by lead and therefore not hazardous to the food
chain and biological life due to lead
RESUL TS AND DISCUSSION contamination.

The heavy metal analysis of soil samples at The levels of zinc found in the soil samples were
control sites and dump site locations have been within the normal range 10-300 mg/kg (Bohn et
determined. Results of the soil samples obtained aI., 1979; USEPA, 1986, Steinbam and Breen,
for the control soil and dump site soil are 1999) in the mineral soil environment. Zinc
presented in Tables 1 (a) and (b), respectively. constitutes an essential element (micronutrient),
Equally the concentration of the metals obtained but it is toxic to crop plants especially vegetables
in Amaranthus caudatus for control site and dump at the level of 400 mg/kg in the soil (Abreu et aI.,
sites are presented in Tables 2 (a) and (b), 1998).
respectively. The results obtained for the different
soil samples from the dump site show that they The concentrations of manganese in soil samples
are highly contaminated with iron when compared varied between 4.85 and 34.6mg/kg with a mean
with the control values. The mean concentration of 20.7mg/kg (Table 1b). This range values are
value of 2930 mg/kg was within the normal range below the normal range 200-2000 mg/kg (Bohn et
of 10,000-100,000 mg/kg in mineral soil aI., 1979) for the mineral soil but its presence
environment and 300-500,000 mg/kg reported for influences soil biochemistry. Manganese in soil
naturally occurring heavy metal concentrations for functions like iron and is also an essential trace
soil (USEPA, 1986). Cadmium was detected in all element (micronutrient).
of the samples. The values ranged from 1.70 -
2.00 mg/kg with a mean of 1.90 mg/kg (Table 1b). From Tables 1 (b) and 2 (b) there are apparent
This range of value is within normal range of 0.1 – indications of the effects of dumps on the values
7 mg/kg (Bohn et at, 1979) and is well above' that of metals as compared to their values in Tables
range reported by (USEPA, 1986). The source of 1(a) and 2(a). This trend is also in agreement with
cadmium in the dump site soil may be due to the the observations of Adeniyi (1996), Harrison and
presence of discarded batteries, paint pigments, Chirgawi (1989), Bojakowska and Kochany
plastic, oils, and chemicals such as fungicide. (1985), and Sigh and Arwal (1984).

Cadmium is very hazardous and at certain

concentrations, it is toxic to humans and other CONCLUSION
living organisms especially when present in the
aqueous medium (Bryan, 1984; WHO, 1984). The The heavy metal concentration level in dumpsites
cadmium wastes should therefore not be and Amaranthus caudatus grown on such soil
discharged into the environment. have being determined. Results of our
measurements reveals the presence of
concentration of heavy metals when compared to

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 Table 1(a): The Concentration Levels (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals in Soil Samples at Different Control
Locations.

Locations Fe Cd Cn Pb Zn Mn
A 10.4 0.23 21.8 18.9 29.7 3.78
B 11.4 0.28 26.6 56.8 23.9 2.98
C 14.6 0.25 26.6 48.1 25.9 16.3
D 25.4 0.26 21.2 31.6 21.1 5.12
E 20.1 0.27 24.9 25.3 24.6 21.0

Table 1(b): The Concentration Levels (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals in Soils Samples' at Different Dump Site
Locations.

Locations Fe Cd Cn Pb Zn Mn
A 1360 1.97 234 115 41.3 16.3
B 1340 2.00 261 111 33.2 4.85
C 4640 1.70 242 88.4 39.1 22.6
D 3720 1.85 205 94.7 34.9 25.6
E 3570 2.00 209 58.4 43.1 34.6
Mean 2930 1.90 230 93.3 38.3 20.8
USEPA 300 -500000 0.1-1.0 7-80 12-25 10 300
Normal range in mineral soil 10000 - 100000 0.1-7.0 2-100 2-200 10- 200 200-300
environment

Table 2(a): The Concentration Levels (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals in Amaranthus caudatus on Control Sites
at Different Locations.

Locations Fe Cd Cu Pb Zn Mn
A 4.78 0.51 3.72 8.53 32.5 2.72
B 4.64 0.12 3.35 8.80 2.28 2.61
C 4.29 0.13 3.73 9.50 20.6 1.65
D 4.07 0.14 3.80 9.53 18.4 3.20
E 2.36 0.14 3.30 9.0 2.36 3.75

Table 2(b): The Concentration Levels (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals in Amaranthus caudatus on Dumpsites
Soil at Different Locations.

Locations Fe Cd Cu Pb Zn Mn
A 7.50 1.46 209 80.5 35.9 11.2
B 6.75 1.28 199 145 37.9 3.79
C 7.85 1.20 207 68.7 31.9 4.32
D 21.8 1.65 205 75.8 19.6 3.75
E 14.6 1.71 171 68.7 14.6 2.52

those of the control and much higher on the hazardous implication of using dumpsites
concentration of copper above the normal range as a cheaper avenue for cultivation of vegetables
in most samples. This is seen to pose possible for domestic consumption.
health hazards to members of the public who
consume vegetables cultivated on such
dumpsites within Lagos metropolis. In light of REFERENCES
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
10. Grubben, G.S.H. 1977. Tropical Vegetables and
their Genetic Resources. International Board for
Dr. Gregory Olufemi Adewuyi holds a Ph.D. in
Genetic Resources: Rome, Italy.
Analytical/Environmental Chemistry from the
11. Harrison, R.W. and Chagawi, M.B. 1998. “The University of Ibadan Nigeria. He is presently a
Assessment of Air and Soil as Contributions of Senior Lecturer in the Chemistry Department of
Some Trace Metals to Vegetable Plants”. Sci, the same University and has over 15 years of
Total Environment. 83:13-23. University teaching and research experience. His
area of research is in analysis of organic micro
12. Huffman, E.W.D. Jr. and Hodgson, J.F. 1973. pollutants and heavy metals in environmental and
“Distribution of Cadmium and Zinc/Cadmium clinical samples using HPLC and AAS
Ratios in Plants from 19 States East of the Rocky
Mountains”. J Environ. Qual. 2:289-291.
techniques. Also he is developing methods for
HPLC analysis of anti-malaria drugs and
13. Kock, M., Sixl, W., and Mose, J.R. 1989. metabolites in clinical samples.
“Cadmium, Mercury, and Insecticide Residue ([email protected])

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Dr. F.A Dawodu holds a Ph.D. in Chemical
Engineering. He is presently a Senior Lecturer in
the Chemistry Department of the University of
Ibadan, Nigeria. He has over 25 years of
University teaching and research experience. He
teaches Industrial-based Chemistry. His area of
interest include solvent extraction, food chemistry,
metallic corrosion and control, industrial waste
treatment, environmental impact assessment
(EIA) baseline and post impact studies.
([email protected])

Dr. Nnamdi Norbert Jibiri holds a Ph.D. in

Radiation and Health Physics, both from the
University of Ibadan Nigeria. He is presently a
Senior Lecturer in the Physics Department of the
University of Ibadan. He has over 15 years of
University teaching and research experience and
is actively involved in the postgraduate training in
the Department of Physics and also, the
professional Master training program in Radiation
Protection. Presently, he is the Assistant Head,
Radiation and Health Physics Research Unit of
his Department. Dr. N.N. Jibiri’s research interest
is in environmental radioactivity, protection, and
assessment. ([email protected],
[email protected])

SUGGESTED CITATION

Adewuyi, G.O., F.A. Dawodu, and N.N. Jibiri.

2010. “Studies of the Concentration Levels of
Heavy Metals in Vegetable (Amaranthus
caudatus) Grown in Dumpsites within Lagos
Metropolis, Nigeria”. Pacific Journal of Science
and Technology. 11(1):616-620.

Pacific Journal of Science and Technology

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