Metal concentration in cocoa seeds shell ash, liquid effluent, soil sediments and associated plants in a cocoa processing industry in Nigeria

• Published in: International journal of environmental studies Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 171 - 180
• Main Authors: ADEYEYE, E.I., AJIBADE, P.A., TEMOLA, A.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor and Francis Ltd 01.04.2005; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Associated toxic metals; Bioaccumulation; Biological and medical sciences; Cocoa processing industry; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Manihot esculenta; Plant parts; Nigeria; Africa; Nigeria, Ondo; Plant parts; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Metal; Envelope; Sediments; Environmental management; Cocoa processing industry; Industry; Concentration measurement; Soils; Pollution; Plant; Bioaccumulation; Dicotyledones; Sterculiaceae; Associated toxic metals; Angiospermae; Liquid effluent; Spermatophyta; Biological accumulation; Nigeria; Theobroma cacao
• ISSN: 0020-7233; 1029-0400
• DOI: 10.1080/00207230500034669

Levels of iron, zinc, manganese, copper, tin, aluminium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, titanium and calcium were determined in cocoa seeds shell ash, liquid effluent, soil sediments and associated plants (kokoyam and cassava parts) using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer from a cocoa processing industry located at Akure along the Akure-Owo express road, Ondo State, Nigeria. The soil sediments metals were more highly concentrated than the corresponding values in the liquid effluent; both samples showed evidence of metal bioaccumulation. The toxic trace metals determined were mostly above the permissible safe levels. Plants should not be planted along the effluent channel to avoid plant bioaccumulation of toxic metals.