Abstract
This study investigated the status of heavy metals in the soil and Amaranthus cruentus on the farmland at bank of Orogodo River at Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria. Soil and plant samples were collected at an area of 8000 m 2 . The soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm while the plant samples were also sampled along with the sampling of the soil in December 2013. Both the soil and plant samples were analysed using an appropriate laboratory methods. Results showed that the Cr, Cd and Pb content of the soils at both sites decreased with increased soil depth and that these Cr, Cd and Pb content at the river bank soils were significantly (P< 0.05 )higher than those of the control. However, at the control site the Cd content of the soil was fairly stable with the increased soil depth. The Cu, Fe and Mn which increased with increased soil depth were significantly higher at the river bank soils than the control. With the exception of Cd and Cr, significantly higher Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb content were recorded at the river bankAmaranthus cruentus compared to control. The Cr was however not detected at the river bank plants. Significantly (P < 0.05 ) higher Transfer Factor was attained by the Cd compared to other heavy metals. The silt positively significantly correlated with Fe, Cu and negatively significantly correlated with Cr. The soil pH negatively significantly correlated with Fe, Cu and positively significantly correlated with Cr. The sand and organic matter neither positively nor negatively significantly correlated with the heavy metals studied.
Keywords:
heavy metals
status
river bank
farmland
amaranthuscruentus
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