ABSTRACT
Kaolin mining activities have been going on in
Ohiya Community in Abia state since the 1990's. Undoubtedly, it has improved
the economic wellbeing of the local people through employment. The impact of
mining activities on both biotic and abiotic components of the environment has
been a major source of public outcry for decades. This study assessed the
kaolin mining generating heavy metal contamination in the mined area and
screened three different local plant species for phyto-remediation. A
preliminary assessment ofthe overburden indicated high levels of lead (Pb) and
cobalt (Co) in the kaolin mined soil. Three local plant species Chromolaena
odorata, Ipomoea involucrata and Mariscus alternifolius commonly A found at
abandoned kaolin mining site at Ohiya were screened for efficacy in
phytoremediation of heavy metals contaminated soil using a pot experiment.
Soils from Ohiya kaolin mining site were used as medium for growing the
species. Pre-experiment assessments of the concentrations ofsix heavy metals
(Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd, Co and Se) were carried out in the soil and plant tissues to
be used for the experiment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized
Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 6 replicate pots each and growth parameters
(plant height in (cm) was measured with tape and number of leaves was counted
at monthly intervals).The physico-chemical properties of the experimental soil
showed high content of lead (Pb) and cobalt (Co) contamination which were
(2.40mg/kg) and (9.84mg/kg) respectively and also deficiency in macro elements
(N P K). N ranges from (1.30- 3.00g), P (0.03- 0.09g.), K (0.49- 1.48g). The
kaolin mined soil significantly affected all the growth parameters measured
during the study. Post-trial plant analysis revealed that the three plant
species used for the study accumulated appreciable quantities ofthe heavy
metals. The ranges of Pb in the species were as follows C. odorata
(0.80-1.00mg/kg), I. involucrata (1.00-2.00mg/kg), M. alternifolius (0.40-
0.70mg/kg). The ranges of Cr were: C. odorata from (0.00-0.07mg/kg), I.
involucrata (0.30- 0.42mg/kg), M. alternifolius (0.01-0.lOmg/kg). The ranges of
Cd in the species were: C. odorata (0.02-0.30mg/kg), I. involucrata
(0.10-0.70mg/kg), M. alternifolius (0.10-0.60mg/kg) and Co concentrations were:
C. odorata (2.00-3.07mg/kg), I. involucrata (2.01-4.01mg/kg), M. alternifolius
(2.01-2.10mg/k). Ipomoea involucrata had significantly higher accumulation of
Pb and Co than the two other plant species used and should be preferred in
phytoremediation activities in the kaolin mine site at Ohiya or soils with high
concentrations ofheavy metals.
Keywords: Phytoremediation, Heavy metals,
Chromolaena odorata, Mariscus altamfolius, Ipomea. involuculata, soil, mining,
and kaolin
CHARLES, E (2024). Plant Enumeration, Identification And Assessment Of Soil And Some Plants For Heavy Metals At Kaolin Mined And Unmined Sites At Ohiya, Abia State, Nigeria:- Igwe, Charles E. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Oct 12, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/plant-enumeration-identification-and-assessment-of-soil-and-some-plants-for-heavy-metals-at-kaolin-mined-and-unmined-sites-at-ohiya-abia-state-nigeria-igwe-charles-e-7-2
EKENE, CHARLES. "Plant Enumeration, Identification And Assessment Of Soil And Some Plants For Heavy Metals At Kaolin Mined And Unmined Sites At Ohiya, Abia State, Nigeria:- Igwe, Charles E" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Mar. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/plant-enumeration-identification-and-assessment-of-soil-and-some-plants-for-heavy-metals-at-kaolin-mined-and-unmined-sites-at-ohiya-abia-state-nigeria-igwe-charles-e-7-2. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
EKENE, CHARLES. "Plant Enumeration, Identification And Assessment Of Soil And Some Plants For Heavy Metals At Kaolin Mined And Unmined Sites At Ohiya, Abia State, Nigeria:- Igwe, Charles E". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Mar. 2024. Web. 12 Oct. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/plant-enumeration-identification-and-assessment-of-soil-and-some-plants-for-heavy-metals-at-kaolin-mined-and-unmined-sites-at-ohiya-abia-state-nigeria-igwe-charles-e-7-2 >.
EKENE, CHARLES. "Plant Enumeration, Identification And Assessment Of Soil And Some Plants For Heavy Metals At Kaolin Mined And Unmined Sites At Ohiya, Abia State, Nigeria:- Igwe, Charles E" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 12 Oct. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/plant-enumeration-identification-and-assessment-of-soil-and-some-plants-for-heavy-metals-at-kaolin-mined-and-unmined-sites-at-ohiya-abia-state-nigeria-igwe-charles-e-7-2