International Journal of Medical Science and Applied Biosciences

International Journal of Medical Science and Applied Biosciences

¹Ebiekpe, V. E., ²Okafor, P. C. ²Uwah, I. E. ¹Ogwuda, U. A. &¹Agbaghare, D. E.

¹Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Veritas University, Abuja

²Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar

E-mail: ebivik@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Utilization of Talinum triangulare (water-leaf) in accessing the level of some heavy metals in selected farm sites around Veritas University, Abuja, Nigeria was investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results obtained indicated the following ranges for the metal in the farm sites soil (in mg/kg): Farm site A: Cu(0.12), Fe(0.1), Zn(2.62), Ni(0.18), Pb(0.01), Cd(0.001) and Cr(0.001); Farm site B: Cu(0.26), Fe(0.18), Zn(1.51), Ni(1.06), Pb(0.02), Cd(0.003) and Cr(0.002); Farm site C: Cu(0.03), Fe(0.13), Zn(1.84), Ni(0.51), Pb(0.06), Cd(0.006) and Cr(0.002); Farm site D: Cu(0.06), Fe(0.11), Zn(1.22), Ni(0.16), Pb(0.05), Cd(0.002) and Cr(0.002); Farm site E: Cu(1.02), Fe(0.21), Zn(2.21), Ni(0.22), Pb(0.05), Cd(0.002) and Cr(0.003). The concentrations of the metals analyzed in the different farm sites were greater than those obtained in the control sample, but however, the obtained values were all within the NAFDAC/WHO permissible limits. The effects and environmental health implications of these heavy metals on humans are also discussed.

Keywords: Talinum  triangulare, Heavy metals, Permissible limit, Farm sites, Environmental health