ABSTRACT
This research work was carried out to investigate the level of some heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Cr) ions in soil and some edible vegetables grown within the vicinity of abandoned Peacock Paint Industry in Ikot Ekan, Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Comparison of heavy metals in crops and soils obtained showed that heavy metals in crops were higher than those recorded in soil and was attributed to bioaccumulation and bio-magnification of these heavy metals in crop tissues. Mean concentrations of Pb ions in pumpkin leaves (Telferia occidentalis) in sampling position QI, QII, QIII, QIV and the control were (7.28±0.08, 6.84±1.18, 4.65±0.75, 3.85±0.67 and 1.84±0.91) mg/kg respectively. Mean concentrations of Fe2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Cr3+ showed similar trends in all the edible vegetables analysed in the study area. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil samples obtained within the site were significantly higher than those obtained from the control sites. The levels of heavy metals in both soil and crop samples collected from the site were significantly high to cause environmental concern as their concentrations exceeded the tolerable limits, mean concentrations of Pb2+, Fe2+ Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Cr3+ of heavy metals in the soil were Pb2+ (11.16±0.54 mg/kg), Fe2+(2120.40±2.11 mg/kg), Cu2+(89.74±7.52 mg/kg, Zn2+(23.74±1.55 mg/kg), Cd2+(2.66±0.52 mg/kg) and Cr3+(3.24±0.71 mg/kg). However, the observed values were higher than FEPA/ WHO standards.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
Cover Page i
Title Page ii
Certification iii
Declaration iv
Dedication v
Acknowledgements vi
Table of Content vii
List of Tables ix
List of Figures x
Abstract xi
CHAPTER
1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
of the Study 1
1.2 Statement
of Problem 3
1. 3 Aim
and Objectives of the Study 4
1.4 Justification
of the Study 5
CHAPTER
2: LITERATURE REVIEW 7
CHAPTER
3: MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Materials 24
3.1.1 Reagents
24
3.1.2 Equipment
24
3.2 Methods
25
3.2.1 Study
area 25
3.2.2 Sample
collection points 27
3.2.3 Sample
preparation 28
3.2.3.1 Soil
preparation 28
3.2.3.2 Edible
vegetables preparation 28
3.3 Determination
of the Physiochemical Properties in the Soil 29
3.3.1 Soil
analysis (Bouyouncos, 1951) 29
3.3.2 Determination
of soil pH in water (Ano, 1994) 29
3.3.3 Organic
matter determination (Walkley and Black, 1994) 30
3.3.4 Determination
of Total Exchangeable Base 30
CHAPTER
4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results
of Physical and Chemical Properties of the Soil 32
4.1.1 Results
of soil analysis 33
4.1.2 Results
of pH analysis 33
4.1.3 Results
of organic carbon determination 34
4.1.4 Results
of the determination of exchangeable bases 34
4.2 Results
of Heavy Metals Concentration in the Soil 36
4.3 Results
Heavy Metals Analysis in Edible Vegetables Obtained from
the
Study Area 41
CHAPTER
5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Conclusion 60
5.2 Recommendation 60 References 61
Appendix 77HeahhHHhhhh
LIST OF TABLES
Page
4.1 The Mean Values of Selected Physical and
Chemical Properties
of
the Soils 32
4.2 The
Mean Concentration (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals in the soil with
Respect
of Sampling Distance 37
4.3 The
Mean Concentration (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals ions in Telferia
occidentalis with
Respect to Sampling Distance 42
4.4 The
Mean Concentration (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals ions in Abelmoschus esculentus with Respect to Sampling Distance in the
Study Area 46
4.5 The Mean Concentration (mg/kg) of Heavy
Metals ions in Talinum
Triangulare with
Respect to Sampling Distance in the Study Area 51
4.6 The
Mean Concentration (mg/kg) of Heavy Metals ions in Manihot
esculentus
with Respect to Sampling Distance in the Study Area 55
LIST OF FIGURES
Page
3.1: Georeference
of study area 26
3.2: Showing
sampling positions and axes in the study area 27
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY
A
problem of global concern is the levels of heavy metals in the soil system
(Amisah et al., 2009). One of the
most severe ecological challenges in developing countries is soil contamination
by heavy metals through consistent disposal of untreated or poorly treated
wastes from industries. Heavy metals constitute the major source of soil
pollutants that have the capacity to contaminate the entire ecosystem through
the food chain (Edem et al., 2008).
Although heavy metals are present as natural components of soils, toxic levels are
consequences of anthropogenic, industrial and activities such as mining (Das, 1999;
Kuo et al., 2011). Soil contamination
by heavy metals create a paint source environment through which plants can acquire
heavy metals ions from the soil through folia adsorption process. When humans or animals feed on these plants, the
heavy metal ions can be transferred, bioaccumulate and biomagnify. At toxic concentrations,
several health challenges have been confirmed, depending on the type of the
heavy metal, physiological and biochemical conditions of the body and other
factors (Abbas et al., 2010; Basta et al., 2010).
Paint
contains various types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes that are being
discharged from the industries into the surrounding environment. As a result,
the wastes with highly toxic inorganic or organic pollutants are dumped into
surrounding land or water bodies which contaminate the soil or water. The continuous
dumping of solid wastes particularly on land may constitute enormous danger to
the ecosystem, particularly the soil; plants and animals that depend on them. Harmful
inorganic and organic pollutants in the wastes material can alter the relative
abundance of heavy metals and other organic constituents in the soil. Consequently,
the health state of plants and animals that depend directly or indirectly on
the polluted soil may also be affected. When these plants are eaten by man, the
heavy metal ions become bio-accumulated in tissue and other organs and
eventually generate several ailments which may ultimately end up in death
(Odiette, 1999; Adriano, 2003). Some of these heavy metals in plants may not be
injurious to them, but could exert toxic impact on animals feeding on the
plants (Raven and Evert, 2006). The present study is aimed at investigating
levels of heavy metal ions in soil and arable crops grown within the vicinity
of abandoned Peacock paint industry located at Ikot Ekan, Etinan Local Government
Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Peacock
Paints Limited located at Ikot Ekan, in Etinan, was incorporated in 1979 and
went into full operation in 1980 during the administration of Dr. Clement Isong,
the then Governor of Cross River State. It was a berthing of a Peacock Paint.
The company came with the promise to deliver quality paint and it did. The
paint came with attractive colours, more like a peacock flaunting its feathers.
The product came with durability and the virility of the peacock. Basking in
the euphoria of its quality and durability, the company took the motto,
“Quality with Pride”. The company, like the proud peacock bloomed with its
bright colours attracting patronage from far and wide. In 2007, the fortunes of
the company dimmed. The bright colours of the spread feathers furled up and the
peacock in the paint took flight, far away from its disappointing consumers
because it was abandoned.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The
increase in number of abandoned industries and poor waste management in Nigeria
is a source of concern, as the consequences of inadequate collection, disposal
and poor management of wastes make negative impact on the environment.
This may also contributes to the degradation of the
urban environment and may obstruct public health. The most prone population are
those living close to the abandoned industries or waste disposal sites because
the abandon waste has the potential to contaminate water, soil, air and crops
that are grown within the abandoned industrial sites (Ekpo et al., 2014). According to (Afullo and Odhiambo, 2009) most
Nigerian based companies are relocating to Ghana due to the deteriorating
economic, environmental and health conditions in Nigeria. The influx of significant
population into the city without adequate or sustainable waste management may
enhance a wide variety of environmental problems (Environmental Management and
Co-ordination Act, 1999). The mayor problem is the current inability of urban
authorities to adequately manage large quantities of the generated solid waste
(United Nations Development Programme, 2006). Uncontrolled and unmonitored
disposal of wastes in open dumps may result in the contamination and subsequent
pollution of the environment by heavy metals. Thus, observed widespread and multiple
impacts of heavy metals from solid waste become a global concern (Uwah et al., 2011). Despite huge volumes of concentrated
waste residues, abandoned industries, the commonest sources of heavy metals
known are metal junks and batteries (Zhang et
al., 2002; Pasquini and Alexander, 2004). Studies have shown that some
wastes are rich in nutrient and that their nutrient content makes them
attractive as fertilizers, but when untreated wastes are used in crop
production, consumers may be exposed to public challenges such outbreak of
diseases (such as cholera and hepatitis) or heavy metal contamination of the
soil and plants cultivated on such soil (Drechsel et al., 1999). Furthermore, heavy metals are non-biodegradable and
significant concentrations in soil can affect plant and animal life through
folia absorption and food chain (Karatas et
al., 2006; Adjia et al., 2008). According
to Yargholi and Azimi (2008), heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium and
copper are notably toxic and accumulate in biological system to cause toxic
impacts. These and some other heavy metals are major sources of oxidative
stress in the cell and play an important role in the etiology of diverse human
pathologies such as carcinogenesis (Frenkel, 1992; Wang et al., 2004; Leonard et al.,
2004; Hei and Filipic, 2004). Exposure to heavy metals toxicity such as lead,
iron, and chromium can lead to brain damage, mental retardation, cerebral
palsy, lung cancer, gastrointestinal abnormalities, dermatitis, and death of
the unborn foetus (USEPA, 2002; Rotich et
al., 2006; UNDP, 2006). Some heavy metals have been indicted as constituents
of essential pathway in damaging DNA through the formation of adducts which
have the potential to induce chromosomal breaks (Chakrabarti et al., 2001).
1.3. AIM AND
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
aim of this study is to determine the level of heavy metals in the soil and
vegetable samples within the abandoned Peacock paint industry in Ikot Ekang,
Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The specific objectives
include:
(i)
To determine the physical
and chemical properties of the soil within the paint industrial environment.
(ii)
To carry out similar
analyses as in (i) above on soil and vegetables positioned 100 m away from the
industry.
(iii) To assess the influence of
paint wastes on the chemical characteristics of some vegetables grown within
and the surrounding Peacock paint industry.
(iii)
To suggest some remedies
to the pollution problem of the environment (if any).
1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF THE
STUDY
The
report by World Health Organization (WHO) shows that prolonged exposure to
environmental pollution actuates for about a quarter of the diseases facing
mankind today (Prüss-Üstün and Corvalán, 2006; Kimani, 2007). The general
belief that wastes are sometimes hazardous to health cannot be over emphasized.
Abandoned industries are common sites in Nigeria. The sites are not only a site
for sore eyes but a health hazard. The soils around the abandoned industries
are usually rich in toxic heavy metals, and are used for planting vegetables
and fruits.
These
plants have the tendency to bio-accumulate heavy metal ions from the soil and
when eaten by human beings and animals, they can initiates severe health
challenges (USEPA, 2002; UNDP, 2006; Rotich et
al., 2006). The water sources around the abandoned sites can also be
contaminated with heavy metal ions as through dissolution and leaching from
point source to non-point source. The contaminated plants may be consumed by
man or other animals, while the contaminated water may become a severe source
of irrigation, human consumption and other domestic applications (Etekpo, 1999;
Eddy et al., 2006). The consequences are numerous but are all
connected to toxic effect of heavy metals ions. Availability of data on levels
of heavy metals ion contamination in the Peacock Paint industry is not being
reported extensively. Therefore, the present study seeks to analyze the soil
and plant samples from that environment in order to present baseline
information that can offer suggestions on the need for remediation or adoption
of preventive measures.
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