Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Vegetable (Telfairaoccidentalis) from Farmlands Close to Rumuagholu Dumpsite, Rivers State, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The proliferation of dumpsites in urban settlement the world over is becoming worrisome. The concentrations of some heavy metals were examined in vegetables (Telfairaoccidentalis) planted in farmland close to Rumuagholu Dumpsite. Vegetables samples were collected from three station around the dumpsite within a period of three months (April, May and June). They were transported to the laboratory and oven dried at 60 oC to constant weight. The samples were powdered and digested. The content filtered and the filtrate examined with atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained showed that the mean station values of the individual metals were; lead (Pb), 0.797±0.112, 0.417±0.081 and 0.300±0.049 mg/Kg in stations 1, 2 and 3, cadmium (Cd), undetected in stations 1and 3 and 0.004±0.001mg/Kg in station 2, copper (Cu), 0.364±0.095, 1.113±0.134 and 0.247±0.049 mg/Kg in station 1, 2 and 3, chromium (Cr), 1.234±0.168, 0.721±0.051 and 0.096±0.020 mg/Kg and nickel (Ni), 0.876±0.458, 0.568±0.350 and 0.166±0.015 mg/Kg in station 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The concentrations of the various heavy metals in the dumpsite vegetables were higher than those of the control farmlands. The concentrations of all the examined metals were lower than the FAO/WHO value for consumable food except that of Pb. Although the concentrations of the heavy metals examined were low, yet caution should be taken when planting vegetables on dumpsite soils. This is because of the danger that might ensure from heavy metals toxicity in consumers.