Comparative Study of the Level of some Heavy Metals in Spinach (<i>Amaranthus Caudatus</i>) grown in selected Irrigated and Non- Irrigated Farmland of Kaduna Metropolis.

Abstract

Analysis of samples of various parts of spinach (stem, root and leaves) collected from different farmlands within Kaduna metropolis (Tudun wada, Rigasa and Unguwan Rimi) was carried out for the assessment of the level of Zn, Cd, Pd, and Mn were determined using bulk scientific model VPG 210 model Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentrations obtained where compared with the 15standards so as to establish the level of their contamination. The level of Zn was highest in the leaves of irrigated tomato (82.54 μg/g) from Ungwan Rimi. The root of spinach from Tudun Wada was also found to be 6.4μg/g Cd. The level of Pb was found to be 5.40 μg/g in the roots of spinach from Unguwan Rimi which prove to toxic and as such poses risk to human health. These results show that consumption of spinach grown from the examined areas in this research might be liable to Pb and Cd toxicity. This study also shows the effect of trace metals and the roles they play physiologically.

Keywords: Spinach, heavy metals, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria.