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Research Article Open access CC BY 3.0

Trace Metal Contamination of Selected Vegetables Grown Around Owerri Municipality, Nigeria

C. O. Nwoko, E. N. Emenyonu, C. E. Umejuru

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International · pp. 18–29 · Published 30 Jun 2014

10.9734/JAERI/2014/11183

Abstract

Trace metal contamination of vegetables grown around urban city of Owerri southeastern Nigeria was assessed. Vegetables: Fluted pumpkin – Telfairia occidentalis, Waterleaf – Talinum triangulare, Green – Amaranthus hybridus) were sampled along major locations of the metropolis based on the traffic intensity to achieve very high, high and low urban activities. Shoot of washed and unwashed samples were sub sampled and analyzed for Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu. Results showed that washing significantly reduced trace metal contamination of vegetables. Trace metal pollution index (TPI) was maximum for Douglas (1.72), followed by Aladinma (0.66), Orji (0.61) and Umunjam (0.57). The percentage reductions in trace metal concentrations due to washing were found highest for Pb, Cd, Cr in T. triangulare, A. hybridus and A. hybridus, respectively in Umunjam, Aladinma and Orji. There is need for continuous monitoring of trace metal contamination of vegetables grown in urban and suburban cities to reduce risk associated with trace metal contamination.  

Trace metal metal-uptake vegetables urban activity

Cited by 2

An Assessment of Trace Elements in Selected Leafy Vegetables from Lagos State, Nigeria

T.F. Ogunjimi1, S.A. Ferreira-Leite, E.G. Pereira · Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences · 2025

EVALUATION OF CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HEAVY METALS STATUS OF FLUTED PUMPKIN (TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS) IN A SOIL ALONG BUILD UP TRAFFIC ROAD, PORT HARCOURT, NIGERIA

Department of Crop and Soil Science University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria., J.A CHUKWUMATI, F.I ISOMA · Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences · 2023

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