Levels of some heavy metals in cassava and plantain from farmlands in Kaani and Kpean in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State

• Published in: Journal of applied science & environmental management Vol. 19; no. 2; p. 219
• Main Authors: KALAGBOR, IHESINACHI A, DIGHI, N.K, JAMES, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Port Harcourt World Bank assisted National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) - University of Port Harcourt 01.06.2015; Dr. Michael Horsfall Jnr, University of Port Harcourt, Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry
• Subjects: Agriculture; Cassava; Crop diseases; Enzymes; Food; Heavy metals; Kaani; Kpean; Local government; Plantain; Toxicity; Nigeria; Niger Delta; China
• ISSN: 1119-8362; 1119-8362
• DOI: 10.4314/jasem.v19i2.7

The concentrations of heavy metals (Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb and Fe) were determined in cassava and plantain from farmlands in kaani and Kpean Communities in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were collected, prepared, digested and analyzed using AAS. The levels of heavy metals obtained for cassava samples from Kaani were Ni (5.71 mg/kg), Cu (2.45 mg/kg), Fe (92.4 mg/ kg), Pb (6.57 mg/kg), Zn (9.64 mg/kg) and for plantain samples; Ni (4.31 mg/kg), Fe (59.8 mg/kg), Cu (1.89 mg/ kg), Pb (3.69 mg/kg), Zn (7.04 mg/kg) were recorded. The levels of heavy metals obtained for samples from Kpean were Ni (4.09 mg/kg), Cu (9.64 mg/kg), Fe (6.34 mg/ kg), Pb (13.44 mg/kg), Zn (0.22 mg/kg) for cassava and Ni (10.23 mg/kg), Cu (18.53 mg/ kg), Fe (30.50 mg/kg), Pb (39.18 mg/kg), Zn (9.25 mg/kg) for plantain. Results showed that the levels of these heavy metals Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb and Fe in these food crops were found to be relatively high when compared with FAO/WHO recommended values with crops from Kpean farms having higher values. The most essential element Zn was found to have values below the acceptable limits for cassava and plantain from both farmlands.