Determination of Heavy metals in selected Vegetables along Landzun River, Bida, Niger State Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of heavy metals in selected vegetables along Landzun River of Bida, Niger State were determined in order to establish the levels of their contamination. The vegetable samples (African Spinach, Jute mallow and Pumpkins) were collected from Bangaie, Bantuwa and Nasarafu-Edogifu along Landzun River from (upper, middle and down) stream and were analysed for Cd, Cr. Mn and Pb using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The highest concentration of Cd (0.493±0.6mg/Kg) was found in Pumpkin. This was higher than the permissible limit of 0.2mg/Kg. Pumkin, also recorded the highest concentration of Ni (1.33±0.03mg/Kg), while spinach had the highest concentration of Pb. With the exception of Cr and Pb, the content of Mn, Ni and Cd were higher in most of the sample analysed when compared to the WHO/FAO standard, hence may posed health challenges to the consumer. The concentrations of the metals were generally in the order of Mn˃Pb˃Ni˃Cd˃Cr.