*Orji, O. A2 , Edosa, I. V. O.1, Ogbemudia, I.1, Omokaro, S. O1, Elenwo C. E2.
1Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
2 Department of crop/soil science, Faculty of Agriculture, Rivers State University, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author: Orji, O.A..
IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 12, Issue 3 Ver. III (March. 2018), PP 17-23
Abstract:
This study was carried out to assess the heavy metal content (zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel) on soils and plants of dumpsites at Oluku, Iguomo and Ikhueniro in Benin City, Edo State. Soil samples were randomly collected from two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm) from the dumpsite and control areas. Plant samples (Talinium triangulare) were also collected randomly from the dumpsite and control areas. Analysis of the soil and plant samples showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in heavy metal contents (especially zinc) between the control sites and the dumpsites. It was observed that the pollution index of the dumpsite soils were not high (<1) to readily cause harm. Although the transfer factor for zinc was >1 in the control and dumpsite areas, the other metals remained at <1 with the exception of cadmium which was >1 at the Iguomo dumpsite area.
Keywords: dumpsites, heavy metals, pollution, wastes.