Exploring the Toxicity Potentials of Heavy Metals in Major Road Networks of Dass, Bauchi State, Nigeria
- August 19, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: Chemistry, IJRSI
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VII, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2321–2705
Hassan, U.F.1*, Hassan, H.F.2, Baba, Haruna3, Okwuoha, E.R.1, Hassan A.F.4, Madaki, A.A.5, Tafida, U.I.1 and Adebayo, R.K.1
1Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
2Department of Community Medicine, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, Nigeria
3Department of Chemistry, College of Education, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria
4Pharmacy Department, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Medical Centre, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
5Department of Human Physiology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author
Abstract: The concentrations of some selected heavy metals in roadside soil samples collected from the major road networks of Dass, Bauchi State, Nigeria were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The levels of chromium, cadmium, nickel, lead, copper, manganese, iron and zinc investigated ranged from 0.00 – 0.50, 0.33 – 0.67, 2.50 – 11.67, 0.33 – 3.67, 14.83 – 38.17, 5.00 – 53.33, 108.33 – 531.67 and 57.83 – 79.83 mg/kg respectively. Soil samples from Dass – Zwal road network contain the highest concentrations of chromium (0.50 mg/kg), nickel (11.67 mg/kg), copper (38.17 mg/kg) and iron (531.67 mg/kg) respectively. Soil samples from Dass – Bauchi road contain the highest levels of cadmium (0.67 mg/kg) and zinc (79.83 mg/kg) respectively. Soil samples from Dass – Mbak road network contain the highest concentration of lead (3.67 mg/kg), while samples from Dass – Bununu road network contain the highest concentration of manganese (53.33 mg/kg). The variations in the concentrations of nickel, copper, manganese and iron in all the road networks were found to be statistically different as revealed by Least Significant Difference test (p < 0.05), whereas the variations in the levels of chromium, cadmium, lead and zinc in all the road networks were found to be statistically the same (p ≥ 0.05) as shown by One-Way Analysis of Variance. The toxicity potential values were all found to be less than 1.00. Based on the toxicity potential values, the concentrations of the selected heavy metals determined in all the road networks and comparison of the observed values of the heavy metals with permissible limits specified by World Health Organization, this shows that the soil samples from the different road networks have not reached maximum pollution mark and hence, does not currently pose any health threat to the inhabitants of Dass, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Atomic Absorption Spectrophoto-metry, heavy metals, analysis of variance, least significant difference, toxicity potentials and permissible limits.
I. INTRODUCTION
The most common environmental pollutants in the world are heavy metals [1]. Heavy metals can accumulate in soils to toxic levels as a result of long term application of untreated waste waters and fertilizers. Soil irrigated with waste water accumulates heavy metals in surface soils and when the capacity to retain such heavy metals is reduced due to repeated application of waste water, heavy metals leach into ground water or soil solution available for plants uptake [1].
