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Levels of Heavy Metals (Cr, Pb, Cd) Available for Plants within Abandoned Mechanic Workshops in Umuahia Metropolis

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudikem Abia State, NIGERIA

Res.J.chem.sci., Volume 2, Issue (2), Pages 79-82, February,18 (2012)

Abstract

Heavy metals [Pb Cd Cr] levels in plants and soils from abandoned mechanic workshops in Umuahia metropolis were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) to estimate the level of pollution. The mechanic workshops were chosen from the four axis of the metropolis and the soils were collected at the root zone of the plants samples. The results show that the concentration of those heavy metals in soils and plants were significantly [p<0.01] higher than the permissible level and correlation analysis showed a strong positive relationships between metal concentration in plants and soil. The result of this work revealed that the consumption of farm products/vegetables grown in the abandoned mechanic workshops poses a significant health hazards to human and therefore calls for government action to control the indiscriminate disposal of waste generated in mechanic workshops.

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