Advanced Journal of Environmental Science and Technology ISSN: 2136-3468 Vol. 5(2), pp. 159-168, February, 2018. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

Determination of elemental status of cultivated land necessary to identify yield limiting deficiencies

*Ikogho Vincent, Onobriakpeya Mathew and Obiakwe W. S.

Department of Biochemistry, Abia State University Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]

Accepted 10, January, 2018

Abstract

Seasonal impact on soil trace metals and phytoaccumulation potentials of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis sativus and Taliferia occidentalis grown in Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils were investigated. Soil samples were collected 200 m (sample C), 100 m (sample B) away from discharge point (sample A) in wet and dry seasons. Trace metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results reveal a significant decrease in levels of trace metals distance away from discharge points in the order A>B>C. Findings from the study show significant increase in level of soil trace metals in dry season compared to wet season. Phyto-accumulation potentials of the vegetables showed significant increase in level of trace metals in roots and shoots in dry season compared to wet season. Level of these metals were significantly higher compared to control. This is indicative of the potential risk associated with consumption of vegetables grown in these sites especially in dry seasons. The rural dwellers should be discouraged from planting edible vegetables around Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils in order to reduce excessive build-up of these metals in the human food chain.

Key words: Phyto-accumulation, trace metals, quarry mining, discharge soils, seasonal impact.