The Level and Concentration of Heavy Metals in Fadama Soils and Vegetables along Katako Bridge, Jos Nigeria

Abstract

The study assesses the concentration of heavy metals in soils and vegetables in Fadama sites along Katako Bridge in Jos Metropolis. Samples of vegetables (cabbage and lettuce) and soils were collected from selected Fadama farms and analysis was made for six (6) different heavy metals. These include Lead (pb), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Nickel (Ni). The study site was subdivided into two located at either sites of the River Delimi. Twelve (12) sample points were chosen for all sides of the river (FGB 1-12) for soil samples while six (6) points were chosen for vegetable samples (FGV1-6). These samples were analyzed in the laboratory for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) for soils and vegetables and the results were subjected to statistical analysis of Mean, Standard Deviation, Coefficient of Variation, ANOVA, Correlation and Regression. The findings revealed that Cr and Cd had the highest values of 0.087ppm and 0.04ppm respectively. Comparing these values with WHO standard of 0.05ppm and 0.01ppm shows high occurrence of Heavy metals which may be attributed to the cosmopolitan nature of the area where a lot of human activities are carried out. The study also shows that strong relationship existed between soil and vegetables in the study area, Cu had the highest R² value of 0.87 while the relationship between vegetables with pb, Cd, Zn, Cr and Ni was weak. The study suggested that the use of chemical fertilizers which contain heavy metals should be strictly based on professional advice and that other likely sources of heavy metals such as water were not included in this research but given attention for further study.