EVALUATION OF HEAVY HEAVY METALS POLLUTION IN SOIL AND LETTUCE OBTAINED FROM IRRIGATED DUMPSITES IN MUBI NORTH ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1006-4757Keywords:
Dumpsites, Heavy Metals, Transfer Factor, Pollution Load Index, Enrichment FactorAbstract
In Mubi, Nigeria, dumpsite soils are commonly used as organic manure to enhance soil properties and crop yield, but they often contain hazardous heavy metals. This study assessed heavy metal concentration, transfer, and pollution in soils and lettuce from three dumpsites. Key findings show transfer factors of 0.59–0.89, with copper, cadmium, and chromium being most mobile. The pollution load index exceeded 1 at all sites, indicating soil deterioration, with contamination highest at Mayanka. Geo-accumulation indices revealed moderate to high pollution for manganese, cadmium, copper, and zinc from anthropogenic sources. Contamination factors ranged from 0.87 to 12.35, and the degree of contamination surpassed 24, classifying sites as highly contaminated. However, enrichment factors remained below 2, suggesting minimal enrichment. The study highlights cumulative anthropogenic contamination and elevated metal transfer, posing risks to the food chain and underscoring the need for cautious management of dumpsite soils in agriculture.
References
Ahmad, J.U. and Goni, M.A. (2010). Heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and vegetables of the industrial areas in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 166: 347-357.
Alam, M.G., Snow, E.T. and Tanaka, A. (2003). Arsenic and heavy metal contamination of vegetables grown in samta village, Bangladesh. Science Total Environment, 308(1-3), 83-96.
Alexander., P. and Ubandoma, W. H. (2014) Determination of some heavy metals in selected edible vegetables grown along River Yedzaram in Uba area Adamawa State, Nigeria. African Journal of Pure and Applied Chemistry Vol. 8(4), pp. 78-82
Alexander., P., (2015) Assessment of heavy metals in roadside surface soil and vegetation along Mubi-Michika major road in Adamawa State, Nigeria . International Journal of Applied Sciences Biotechnology, Vol 3(3): 545-551.
Ayobami, A. O. (2022). An assessment of trace metal pollution indicators in soils around oil well clusters. Petroleum Research, 7(2), 275-285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptlrs.2021.09.001.
Barbieri,M.(2016) The importance of Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) to Evaluate the soil contamination. Journal of Geol Geophys 5:237
Bhuiyan, M.A.H., Suruvi, N.I., Dampare, S.B., Islam, M.A., Quraishi, S.B., Ganyaglo, S. and Suzuki, S., (2011): Investigation of the possible sources of heavy metal contamination in lagoon and canal water in the tannery industrial area in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 175(1-4): 633-649, doi: 10.1007/ s10661-010-1557-6.
Chukwuyenum, L. A., & Akandu, V. C. (2024). Environmental pollution and quality of life in Nigeria. International Journal of Economics, Environmental Development and Society, 5(1), 111-133.
Gupta S, Satpati S, Saha RN, Nayek S (2013) Assessment of spatial and temporal variation of pollutants along a natural channel receiving industrial wastewater. Internaltional Journal of Environmental Engineering 5 (1) : 52 – 69
Harmanescu, M., Alda, L. and Bordean, D. (2011). Heavy metals health risk assessment for population via consumption of vegetables grown in old mining area; a case study: Banat County, Romania. Chemistry Central Journal 5(1): 64.
Jolly, Y. N., Islam, A. and Akbar, S. (2013): Transfer of metals from soil to vegetables and possible health risk assessment. Springer Plus, 2(1): 385 http://www.springerplus.com/content/2/1/385.
Lu, Y., Yin, W., Huang, L.B., Zhang, G.L. and Zhao, Y.G. (2011). Assessment of bio-accessibility and exposure risk of arsenic and lead in urban soils of Guangzhou City, China. Journal of Environmental Geochemistry and Health 33: 93-102.
Mafuyai M.G., Kamoh M.N., Kangpe S.N., Ayuba M.S., Eneji S.I (2015). Heavy metals contamination in roadside dust along major traffic roads in Jos metropolitan area, Nigeria. Eupean Journal of Earth and Environment.
Mansir, M. (2006).Livestock Marketing and Transportation in Nigeria.Expro@erols.com
. Joel, O.F. and Amajuoyi, C.A. (2009). Determination of Selected Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals in a Drilling Cutting Dump Site at Ezeogwu–Owaza, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management, 13 (2): pp. 27- 31.
Olarinoye, I.O., Sharifat, I., Kolo, M.T. (2010). Heavy metal content of soil samples from two major dumpsites in Minna. Journal of Natural and Appllied Science; 1119 – 9296:11 (1): 90 - 102.
Oluyemi, E.A., Feuyit, G., Oyekunle, J.A.O., Ogunfowokan, A.O. (2008). Seasonal variations in heavy metal concentrations in soil and some selected crops at a landfill in Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology; 2 (5): 089 - 096.
Sivakumar, S., Chandrasekaran, A., Balaji, G. (2016). Assessment of Heavy Metal Enrichment and the Degree of Contamination in Coastal Sediment from South East Coast of Tamilnadu, India. Journal of Heavy Metals Toxicity 1:2
Sutherland, R.A., Tolosa, C.A., Tack, F.M.G., Verloo M.G. (2000). Characterization of selected element concentration and enrichment ratios in background and anthropogenically impacted roadside areas. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 38:428-438.
Zhuang, P., McBride, M.B., Xia, H., Li, N. and Li, Z. (2009). Health risk from heavy metals via consumption of food crops in the vicinity of Dabaoshan mine, South China. Journal of Science of the Total Environment 407: 1551-1561.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Hyelnasinyi Chindapi, Shinggu Yamta Danbaki, Bwatanglang Ibrahim Birma, David Ujewe Jonathan
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
