Complete Material Cost #3,000
Order for Complete Material now
ABSTRACT
This research was undertaken to assess the levels of the heavymetals uptake by Fluted pumpkin (Telfeririaoccidentials), the fluted pumpkin were harvested from K-Derepost oil spill impacted site in GokanaGovernment local Area. The heavy metals present in the pumpkin leaves were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Speetrophometer (AAS). From the result obtained, metal concentrations were of the range Pb(0.68mg/kg), Zn(11.8125mg/kg), Cr (0.185mg/kg) Fe(43.805mg/kg),. Result showed that the control Pb(2.34mg/kg), Zn(18.62mg/kg), Cr (0.24mg/kg) Fe48.10mg/kg)was higher above WHO permissive limit. This result shows that vegetables from K-Dere post oil spill impacted siteis contaminated with heavy metals which make it unfit for consumption.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The evaluation of heavy metal content offluted pumpkin (Telfairiaoccidentalis) cultivated at post oil spill impacted sites are of considerable environmental concern due to their toxicity and accumulative behaviours (Purves, 1985). Their uptake by plants from soil is largely determined by their presence in the environment based on their chemical specification as well as their mineral content, mineral colloids, soil particle and size, organic matter content, soil humidity, PH, salinity, soil reaction, microbiological activity etc. (Solomon et al, 1984), (Knock et al 1989 and Karbato et al 2001). Although all trace elements are natural constituents of soils, vegetables and fruits are key important sources of microelements for plant and animals. Such as Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Co can be toxic at high levels.The is dumping of waste on soil or cultivation of plants at post oil spill impacted sites has been reported to increase their heavy metal profile (Clarkson et al, 1983, Adeniyiet al, 1993 and Adeniyi, 1996).The effect of this is that their concentration may reach toxic levels.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM.
The major problem associated with heavy metal content of (Telfairionoccidentalis) fluted pumpkin cultivated at post oil spill impacted sites constitute health problem due to toxicity effects. Unlike many other environment pollutants, metals are non- biodegradable and they can undergo biomagnification in living tissues. Elevated levels of heavy metals in the soil may lead to uptake by native and agronomic plants.Some trace metal such as Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn are known to be essential in plant nutrition, however many other metals do not play any significant role in plants physiology, while some are very toxic to green plants and animals. Metal microelements can affect the biological and biochemical processes, nutrition, photosynthesis and respiration of crops. Plants growing in a polluted environment accumulate these toxic metals at high concentrations which ultimately poses serious health risk to human health through exposure pathway especially if plant are cultivated on soils spill impacted sites with oil spill and subsequently consumed. Constant exposure to high concentration levels of oil may be association with elevated high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. The exposure of cadmium from oil with renal dysfunction. Also consumption of polluted vegetables has been identified as a probable exposure pathway of cadmium among local population.
1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY.
- To evaluate the concentration levels of Pb, Fe, Cr, Ni in (Telfairiaoccidentalis) fluted pumpkin cultivated at post oil spill site in K-Dere, Gokana Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria.
- To collect representative samples of TelfairiaOccidentalisfrom K-Dere spill site farms and Won-spill site farms
- To determine the levels of Pb, Cr, Fe and Ni in Telfairiaoccidentalissamples.
- To compare heavy metal content of plant samples with WHO standard.
- To make recommendations based in finding.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significance of the study is based on the contribution of the research to the body of knowledge. e.g Data from this study will serve as bench mark for future studies in the area of research.
- The study will create awareness on the danger of consuming vegetables cultivated at post oil impacted environment.
1.5 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
This project is limited to Telfairiaoccidentalis
This analysis is limited to a post oil spill area
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is centered on the cultivation and evaluation of fluted pumpkin cultivated at post oil spill impacted site at K-Dere and control samples from no-impacted site in the area
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
METAL: These are elements that are good conductors of electricity and whose conductivity decreases as the temperature rises.
PATHOGENS: Is a microorganism, such as bacterium, that parasitizes an animal, plant or a human and produces or causes a disease.
TELFAIRIA OCCIDENTALIS: Is ascientific name of fluted pumpkin.
FLUTED PUMPKIN: Is a tropical vine grown in was Africa as a leaf vegetable and for its edible seeds.
Heavy metal: This is a metal of relatively high density, or of high relative atomic weight.
ENVIRONMENT (BIOPHYSICAL): The physical and biological factors along with their chemical interactions that affect an organism or a group of organisms.
TOXICITY: Is the degree to which a substance can damage an organism.
OIL SPILL: Is the release of a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon into the environment.
CULTIVATION: The action of cultivating land.
Complete Material Cost #3,000