Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni And Co Contents of Water and Sediments, in Relation to Phytoremediation and Translocation by Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes Mart. Solms.) At Some Creeks of the Great Kwa River, Southeastern Nigeria (Published)
A passive phytoremediation study to investigate the environmental purification efficacy of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was carried out at Mbat-Abiati and Oberekkai Creeks of the Great Kwa River in Southeastern Nigeria. The study assessed the levels of Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co in the water column and underlying sediments (abiotic monitors) in comparison with their levels in E. crassipes (biomonitor). Generally, observed values of heavy metals in sediment and water hyacinth of the two Creeks did not vary significantly (p>0.05), and the sequence that was frequently encountered in the accumulation of the heavy metals was: SEDIMENT>PLANT ROOTS>PLANT LEAVES>WATER. Relative Accumulation Indices (RAI) revealed that the concentration of the heavy metals in the sediments are much higher than values recorded for the waters. This appear normal since sediments are reservoirs for all contaminants and dead organic matter descending from the ecosystem above. The pattern of heavy metal concentrations in the organs of E. crassipes are closely associated with that of its geological substrate (water and sediments). Although zinc displayed the highest accumulation in both root and leaves tissues, and appeared more mobile from roots to leaves than other heavy metal, the bioconcentration factor (BCF) revealed Co as the metal with the highest phytoaccumulation capability in the area, followed by Ni, Cu, Pb and Zn, in that order. Indication from the study is that water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) can effectively absorb and translocate Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and Co, even when the concentrations of the metals in the abiotic components of the environment is low.
Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Nigeria, Phytoremediation, Translocation, Water Hyacinth
Assessment of Selected Heavy Metal Residues in the Kidney, Liver, Muscle and Gizzard of Chickens Raised Within Enugu Metropolis (Published)
Studies were carried out for possible bioaccumulation of the following heavy metals; Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, V and Cu in the internal parts (kidney, liver, gizzard and muscle) of twenty seven (27) local and exotic chickens raised within Enugu metropolis after wet digestion of samples and subsequent use of atomic absorption spectrometer. All the selected heavy metals were found to be present in the studied parts of the chickens although at concentrations within their respective established permissible limits for meats consumption. The internal organs of experimental chickens accumulated heavy metals in the following increasing order: liver > kidney > gizzard > muscle. Except vanadium, the concentrations of all other metals in the studied parts of the chickens showed significance at p < 0.05 from the anova analysis. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg were very much higher in the kidney and liver the chickens than other studied metals. The experimental chickens accumulated heavy metals in the following increasing order: local chicken > layer chicken > broiler chickens.
Keywords: Bioaccumulation, Chickens, Heavy Metals, Kidney, Liver