Atmospheric contamination by heavy metals in Ilupeju industrial area of Lagos.
Mashi S. A., El-Ladan I. Y., Yaro A.
Author Affiliation: Department of Geography & Environmental Management, University of Abuja, PMB 117, Abuja, Nigeria.
International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 3 : 833-840
Abstract : The central aim of this paper is to assess the level of atmospheric pollution by heavy metals in Ilupeju industrial area of Lagos using plants as indicators. To realise this aim, a methodology was developed and implemented which involved collection and analysis of samples of bark and leaf of Mango (Magnifera indica) and Almond (Terminalia catappa) plant species in the area. The samples were analysed for Cu, Mn, Zn and Pb. The results obtained revealed that, first, with the exception of Zn, the various metals are concentrated in higher amounts in the bark than leaf samples in both the two tree species. Second, Mn is having the highest concentrations in both the bark and leaf samples of the two trees. Third, the mean values of the various metals in the bark and leaf samples are in general not significantly different among the various industrial density zones in the area. Fourth, among the various metals examined, Pb was found to have a very low or even near zero accumulating tendencies in plant samples in the area. Fifth, the bark samples of the two tree species were found to be the best indicators of assessing accumulation of the metals in the two plant types selected. Of the two tree species however, Almond specie (Terminalia catappa) serve as the best indicator of assessing the accumulation of the metals considered. It was thus concluded that there are evidences of accumulations of Cu, Mn and Zn in the area following occurrence of some industrial activities involving mainly metallurgical and metal-related industrial works. Since the three are among of the most unwanted heavy metals in human bodies, and that the plant types studied have high nutritional value to the people of the area, then controlling the levels of the accumulations requires that a deliberate effort towards controlling these human-related emissions of the metals into the atmosphere in the area is necessary.