Trace Metal (Fe, Se, Cd, Cr, Pb, Ba) Contamination in Soils and Prunus amygdalus Leaves near Delta Steel Company, Ovwian–Aladja, Nigeria: Correlation-Based Source Apportionment and Environmental Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1010-4940Keywords:
Trace metals, Soil,, Vegetation, Prunus amygdalus, Bioaccumulation, Source apportionmentAbstract
The concentrations of six trace metals (Fe, Se, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Ba) were measured in surface soils (0–15 cm) and leaves of the almond plant (Prunus amygdalus) collected from three locations within the Delta Steel Company (DSC) complex at Ovwian–Aladja, Delta State, Nigeria, the Steel Melting Shop (SM), the Lime Plant (L/P), and the Rolling Mill (RM). Sampling was conducted monthly over eight months, across wet and dry seasons. Metal concentrations in soil ranged from 411.38–7097.59 mg/kg for Fe, 1.21–14.55 mg/kg for Se, 1.01–6.25 mg/kg for Cd, 0.27–2.98 mg/kg for Cr, 0.78–4.88 mg/kg for Pb, and 121.61–606.07 mg/kg for Ba. The corresponding ranges in vegetation were 181.02–1543.70 mg/kg (Fe), 0.31–4.58 mg/kg (Se), 0.12–2.12 mg/kg (Cd), 0.04–0.88 mg/kg (Cr), 0.08–2.65 mg/kg (Pb), and 83.80–247.25 mg/kg (Ba). Soils at all locations contained metal concentrations exceeding typical background values, with several metals exceeding regulatory thresholds for agricultural soils. Pearson product-moment correlation showed a significant positive relationship (p < 0.05) between soil and vegetation concentrations for Pb (r = 0.856). The correlation for Cd (r = 0.680) was positive but did not reach statistical significance (critical value r₀.₀₅ = 0.707 for n = 8). These findings indicate a common anthropogenic source of Pb from DSC operations and measurable soil-to-plant transfer. Long-term accumulation of trace metals may pose risks to the surrounding ecosystem and local agriculture through uptake into edible crops.
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