Phytoextraction and Risk Assessment Synergy of Three Edible Plants in Mining Area

Abstract

The phytoextraction and risk assessment synergy of Arachis hypogea (groundnut), Zea maize (Corn) and Citrullus colocynthis L. (Melon) was investigated at a mining area contaminated with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn heavy metals. The metal concentrations in plant matter and soil were determined using AAS. The average pH at 5.2 showed a slightly acidic soil while the total organic content and electrical conductivity were low. The studied metals exceeded the Nigerian FEPA guidelines as well as EU threshold values at the sites. Increase in Cd concentration in the North and South caused a corresponding decrease in plant yield. The maize appreciably accumulated more Pb than melon and groundnut. The phytoplants at the West sampling point accumulated more Zinc and melon grown at the west accumulated highest zinc concentrations of up to 1100 mg/kg. The Presence of Cu metal at low concentrations favoured an equivalent increase in weight of harvested groundnut seed. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) showed a correlation that hyperaccumulators had equivalent higher CV distribution. The values of Cd, Cu and Pb exceeded the Health Risk Index value of 1 in all the three edible phytoplants. The Cd demonstrated the lowest Bioconcentration Factor of (0.03) within the sampling area, among studied metals and the three edible plants. Thus Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) results agreed with the Daily Intake of Metals (DIM) results, that consumption of any of the three edible plants are unsafe and poses a health risk to locals; hence, the synergy of THQ and DIM in evaluating experimental data is detected in this study.