Assessment of hazardous metal load in soils and medicinal plants samples from Suame Magazine, Kumasi
Assessment of hazardous metal load in soils and medicinal plants samples from Suame Magazine, Kumasi
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Date
2017
Authors
Dartey, Emmanuel
Sarpong, Kofi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
Abstract
The presence of non-essential hazardous metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) deleterious to
biota were analyzed in samples (soil and medicinal plants) obtained from Suame Magazine by employing
atomic absorption spectrometry. Soil samples were contaminated and their geo-accumulation indices were:
Zone 1, Pb (Igeo=1.67, moderate), Cd (Igeo=2.30, moderate to strong) and As (Igeo=2.05, moderate to strong);
Zone 2, Pb (Igeo=2.91, moderate to strong), Cd (Igeo=2.33, moderate to strong) and As (Igeo=2.11, moderate to
strong) and Zone 3, Pb (Igeo=0.782, uncontaminated to moderate), Cd (Igeo=1.92, moderate) and As (Igeo=2.01,
moderate to strong). Soil Pb, Cd and As levels ranged (2.02 - 480.05), (0.16- 1.51) and (0.05-0.85) µgg 1
respectively. The range of toxic metal concentrations recorded for medicinal plants (roots and barks) were:
Pb (2.04 - 93.48), Cd (0.16 -3.76) and As (0.01 - 1.12) µgg-1. Medicinal plants tendency to accumulate and
translocate Pb, Cd and As were estimated by employing Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation
Factor (TF) and Bioaccumulation Coefficient (BAC). Range of values recorded for BAC, TF and BCF
respectively were: Pb (0.02 - 13.33), Cd (0.80 - 17.26) and As (0.03 - 19.60); Pb (0.15 - 8.72), Cd (0.23 - 7) and
As (0.02-19.60); and Pb (0.02-46.28), Cd (0.39-14.25) and As (0.03-20.60). The hazardous metal content in
some medicinal plants from the zones studied were found to be above WHO MPL, thus, regular screening is
a must to check the levels of these pollutants in the plant parts and extracts before consumption.
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Citation
Sarpong, K., & Dartey, E. Assessment of hazardous metal load in soils and medicinal plants samples from Suame Magazine, Kumasi.