Godswill O. Tesi

Refuse dumpsites often contain materials capable of polluting surrounding soils. In this study, the spatial distribution of metals in soils of refuse dumpsites in three urban towns (Ughelli, Sapele, Orhuwhorun) in Delta State, Nigeria were examined. Soil samples were collected from three dumpsites in the aforementioned towns at depths 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, respectively.

This study assessed the air pollution tolerance index (APTI) of four plants around the Seplat Gas Flow Station in Sapele, Delta State. Fresh leaves of the plants were collected, weighed, dried and extracts were made. Standardized procedures for determining APTI were adopted. The physio-biochemical characteristics of the four plant species ranged from; pH 4.57–5.36, chlorophyll content 0.17-0.45 mg/g, RWC 41.0%–80.0%, ascorbic acid: 0.91 – 1.58 mg/g, while APTI varied from 5.75 – 6.99.

The content and risk of nine heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Mn, Zn and Fe) were quantified and assessed in jams consumed in Nigeria. The heavy metal contents were quantified using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after digesting jam samples with mixture of acids. The quantified content (mg/kg) of the heavy metals in the jams ranged from <0.03 for Cd, < 0.25 for Pb, 0.05-1.55 for Ni, < 0.25-0.50 for Cr, 0.75-7.75 for Cu, <0.25-0.50 for Co, <0.25- 13.3 for Mn, <2.00-14.0 for Zn and 13.1-30.8 for Fe.