Occurrence of Heavy Metals Concentration in Grown Food Crops (Manihot esculenta and Colocasia esculenta) around Disused Ogbete Coal Mine in Enugu Metropolis, South Africa

Abstract

The major food crops frequently consumed by communities in southeastern Nigeria are Manihot esculenta (cassava) and Colocasia esculenta (cocoyam). The crops are sometimes grown in disused mining sites. The study was carried out in Ogbete disused coal mine area, GRA (government residential area) Enugu, in Enugu State, Nigeria. the study area is located between latitude 6̊ 27̍ N and 35.8704̎ N and longitude7̊ 32̍ E and 56.2164̎ E. This study was conducted to assess the occurrence and concentration of heavy metals in the soil and crop samples. The five heavy metals studied were (Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni and Pb). The samples included twenty-four crops of which eighteen were collected from three sampling locations. The study shows that food grown in the site could pose health risks. The study recommends the ongoing monitoring of heavy metal concentration in the study area.