Bioconcentration of some trace metals in <i>Panicum maximum</i> and <i>Colocaesia esculenta</i> from two automobile workshops in Choba and Alakahia, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The levels of Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cd and V and their bioconcentration factors in two plant species commonly found around automobile workshops in Alakahia and Choba areas of Rivers state were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results showed that the concentration of Pb in plants ranged from 0.220 to 0.330 mg/kg with a mean bioconcentration factor of 0.121, Ni ranged from 0.013 to 0.030 mg/kg with a mean bio-concentration factor of 0.078, Cr ranged from 0.185 to 0.251mg/kg with a mean bioconcentration factor of 0.332, Zn ranged from 1.537 to 2.327 mg/kg with a mean bioconcentration factor of 0.591, while Cd and V were ≤ 0.001 mg/kg with a mean bioconcentration factor of 0.017 to 1.000 respectively. The results indicated possible Pb and Cr toxicity. Also, the Bioconcentration factors were < 1 showing the possibility of bioaccumulation of the metals. Despite a certain degree of metal enhancement from soil to plants, humans who consume the plants should pay more attention to the activities that introduce these metal pollutants to the environment due to their toxicity.

Keywords: Bioconcentration, trace metals, panicum maximum, colocaesia esculenta, toxicity