Heavy metal contamination in cocoyam crops and soils in countries around the lake Victoria basin (Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya)
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Date
2020
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Abstract
A study to determine heavy metals concentration and their correlation between soil and cocoyam
crops grown at different wetland locations in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda around Lake Victoria
basin was done. A total of 48 cocoyams and 48 soil samples (taken at 0-15 cm deep) were collected
in triplicate from various locations in three districts in each country. They were analysed for
Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Chromium (Cr) and Copper (Cu) concentrations using
atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The mean heavy metals concentration in cocoyam
samples were above maximum permissible limits of 0.1 mg/kg for Hg, As and Pb and 5 mg/kg
for Cu established by FAO/WHO (1995) and EU (2004; 2006) rendering them unsafe for human
consumption. Heavy metals concentrations in soils were higher than in cocoyam samples in all
locations in all countries . As and Cr concentrations however, were below the maximum permissible
limits of 20 and 75 mg/kg respectively, in all countries. Heavy metals variation occurred both
within and among countries, with Kampala, Uganda having significantly (p<0.05) higher values
than other locations and countries, respectively. With exception of Pb in Uganda, insignificant
correlation (p>0.05) between soil and the corresponding cocoyam crops grown was observed for
other metals. Soil and cocoyam crops grown in the selected locations along the wetlands of Lake
Victoria basin are contaminated with heavy metals and thus pose health risk to the consumers
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Cocoyams, Soil, Mercury, Arsenic, Lead, Chromium, Copper