Analysis of cassava tubers for total polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals from spillage of petroleum products

Description

Analysis of cassava tubers for total polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals from spillage of petroleum products.

Abstract

This study, the Analysis of cassava tubers for total polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals from spillage of petroleum products was carried out at Uzere (contaminated site) and Ekrejeta (control site) communities of Delta State. At each study site, three samples were obtained so as to be determined in triplicates. The heavy metals content and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the cassava tubers were determined using standard analytical methods. Parameters determined were different PAHs and concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Fe) in both soil and cassava samples. Concentrations of heavy metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The average heavy metals detected in the soil included iron (Fe) -989.11mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) -1.50mg/kg, chromium (Cr) -8.26mg/kg, nickel (Ni) -3.92mg/kg, zinc (Zn) -10.04mg/kg, lead (Pb) -7.08mg/kg while average heavy metal detected in samples of cassava tubers include lead (Pb) -3.13, iron (Fe) -69.23, cadmium (Cd) -0.22mg/kg, nickel (Ni) -2.73, and zinc (Zn) -14.04. The average PAHs content of the soil was 0.17mg/kg. THC of 151.83mg/kg was detected in the soil. These findings suggest that the study site is heavily impacted by the crude oil spillage.