Department of Chemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Ololade, I.A., Department of Chemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Ashoghon, A.O., Department of Chemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria; Adeyemi, O., Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo-State, Nigeria
Trace metals, including heavy metals can be dangerous to the biota and human beings. Consequently, a study of the accumulation of two unpopular heavy metals, Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni), in four species of plants were carried out. At Ojota refuse sites (Old and New) in Lagos State, Nigeria, from where samples were taken; knowledge about these metals were scarce. The results obtained from the analysis of leaves and roots of plants showed that the sites were heavily polluted by chromium and nickel containing substances, which were indiscriminately dumped at the sites. Values were far above the background level with higher concentrations being recorded at the New Refuse Site (NRS). The concentrations obtained were also found to correlate strongly with the results of some soil physico-chemical properties, which were determined during the study. The plants used in the present research were observed to display a higher level of tolerance to metal concentration, an important characteristic of hyper-accumulator plants in phytoremediation study. Consequently, they are recommended for cultivation in non-grazing heavy metal polluted sites. However, livestock feedings and vegetable consumption at the present sites should be discouraged to avoid metal poisoning. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.