ABSTRACT
In
this study, the seasonal variations of heavy metals concentration in the soil
and plant parts at Uyo mechanic village, Uyo, Nigeria, were investigated during
the two major seasons ofNigeria. Sampling soil depths were 0-15 cm, 15 - 30 cm
and 30 - 45cm which represent the main feeding zones ofthe plant roots. Soil
and Plants samples collected from two mechanic workshops were treated and
digested using standard wet digestion methods. The heavy metals investigated
were: Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) in the three
soil depths and three plant parts namely; the leaves, stem and roots in
Amaranthus spinosus, Pennisetum purpureum and Aspilia africana. The seasonal
variations of heavy metals concentration in the soil samples and three plant
parts of Amaranthus spinosus, Pennisetum purpurseum and Aspilia africana in the
mechanic village and control site were determined using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result of the analysis carried out showed that the
levels of heavy metals were generally higher at the dry season than rainy
season. The concentration of heavy metals in the mechanic village soil varies
at different depths in the two seasons, the highest value of each ofthe heavy
metals were observed at the depth of 0-15cm(topsoil) while the lowest value of
each of the heavy metals were observed at the depth of 30- 45cm(sub-sub soil).
The leaves of Amaranthus spinosus had the highest mean value for Fe(l
16.4mg/kg) in the three plants species while the stem of Pennisetum purpureum
had the highest mean value for Fe(96.1mg/kg), in the three plants species and
the root of Aspilia africana had the highest mean value for Fe(129.1mg/kg) in
the three plants species in the dry season when compared to that of rainy
season. The leaves of Amaranthus spinosus had the highest mean value for
Zn(55.71mg/kg) in the three plants species while the stem of Amaranthus
spinosus had the highest mean value for Zn(51.96mg/kg) in the three plant
species and the root of Pennisetum purpureum had the highest mean value for
Zn(59.73mg/kg), in the three plants species in the dry season when compared to
that of rainy season, the leaves of Aspilia africana had the highest mean value
for Pb(20.35mg/kg) in the three plants species while the stem of Aspilia
africana had the highest mean value for Pb(18.67mg/kg) in the three plants
species and the root of Aspilia Africana had the highest mean value for
Pb(21.3mg/kg) in the three plants species in the dry season when compared to
that of rainy season. The leaves ofAmaranthus spinosus had the highest mean
value for Cu(9.8mg/kg) in the three plants species while the stem ofAspilia
africana had the highest mean value for Cu(9.3mg/kg) in the three plants
species and the root of Amaranthus spinosus had the highest mean value for
Cu(9.92mg/kg) in the three plants species for dry season when compared to that
of rainy season. The leaves of Amaranthus spinosus had the highest mean value
for Cd(2.4mg/kg) in the three plants species while the stem ofAmaranthus
spinosus had the highest mean value for Cd(2.05mg/kg) in the three plants
species and the root of Amaranthus spinosus had the highest mean value
for Cd(2.25mg/kg) in the three plants species for dry season when compared
to that of rainy season. In general, the levels of heavy metals in the soil and
plant parts were lower in the rainy season than in the dry season due to
increased aeration and dilution from rainfall. Heavy Metals present in the
soils depths and plant parts for Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, varied markedly due to
different anthropogenic sources of these metals coupled with seasonal effects.
It was found that the bioavailability of heavy metals at different soil depths
and plant parts changes with respect to season, plant species and the type
ofmetal. Results also show that the mean concentrations ofthe heavy metals
decreased with soil depths.
EDIKAN-ABASI, S (2024). Seasonal Variations Of Heavy Metals Concentrations In The Soil And Plants In Uyo Mechanic Village, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria:-Ndeh, Edikan-Abasi S. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Sep 07, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seasonal-variations-of-heavy-metals-concentrations-in-the-soil-and-plants-in-uyo-mechanic-village-uyo-akwa-ibom-state-nigeria-ndeh-edikan-abasi-s-7-2
SAMUEL, EDIKAN-ABASI. "Seasonal Variations Of Heavy Metals Concentrations In The Soil And Plants In Uyo Mechanic Village, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria:-Ndeh, Edikan-Abasi S" Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 25 Jun. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seasonal-variations-of-heavy-metals-concentrations-in-the-soil-and-plants-in-uyo-mechanic-village-uyo-akwa-ibom-state-nigeria-ndeh-edikan-abasi-s-7-2. Accessed 07 Sep. 2024.
SAMUEL, EDIKAN-ABASI. "Seasonal Variations Of Heavy Metals Concentrations In The Soil And Plants In Uyo Mechanic Village, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria:-Ndeh, Edikan-Abasi S". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 25 Jun. 2024. Web. 07 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seasonal-variations-of-heavy-metals-concentrations-in-the-soil-and-plants-in-uyo-mechanic-village-uyo-akwa-ibom-state-nigeria-ndeh-edikan-abasi-s-7-2 >.
SAMUEL, EDIKAN-ABASI. "Seasonal Variations Of Heavy Metals Concentrations In The Soil And Plants In Uyo Mechanic Village, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria:-Ndeh, Edikan-Abasi S" Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2024). Accessed 07 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/seasonal-variations-of-heavy-metals-concentrations-in-the-soil-and-plants-in-uyo-mechanic-village-uyo-akwa-ibom-state-nigeria-ndeh-edikan-abasi-s-7-2