International Research Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Sciences

Vol. 5(1), pp. 086-091, March, 2018. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: XXXX-XXXX

IRJCCS

Research Article

Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-

Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
1Priscilla Alexander, 2Nachana’a Timothy and 3*Allen Abu Dusa
1,2Department of Chemistry Adamawa State University Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria
3Departments of Agricultural and Bioenvironmental Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria

The concentrations of some selected heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Fe, Mg and Co) along Mubi- Gombi
highway were analysed. Samples of roadside soil and plants were randomly collected from six (6)
towns; these include Mubi, Mararaba, Makera, Kala’a, Hong and Gombi. Subsequently the
concentrations of the following heavy metals Cd, Pb, Fe, Mg and Co in the samples were analyzed
using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) . Three samples were taken at each sampling
point at a distance of 5 m, 10 m and 15 m from the edge inward. The result revealed that Cd, Pb,
Fe, Mg and Co were present in the soil and plant samples. The mean concentration ranged from
Cd(0.02±0.01 – 1.50 ±0.11 mg/ kg) Pb(0.02±0.01 – 2.70±0.20 mg/ kg), Co(0.13±0.02 – 0.84±0.06mg/
kg), Fe( 243.80±16.4 – 311.74±22.8mg/ kg) and Mg(1.75±0.03 – 2.35±0.06mg/ kg) in the soil
samples. While the mean concentration in plants leaves samples ranged from Cd (0.01±0.00 –
0.04±0.02mg/ kg), Pd( 0.17±0.04 – 0.82±0.10mg/ kg), Co(0.20±0.03 – 0.88±0.88mg/ kg), Fe(
41.56±3.21 - 85.12±5.48mg/ kg) and Mg(2.11±0.18 - 2.32±0.07mg/ kg) . The concentration of Pb,Fe
and Co exceeded the permissible limit of WHO. While the concentration of Cd and Mg were found
to be within WHO limit. The high levels of Pb, Fe and Co indicate the potential health risk for
human. The high level of these metals might be due to anthropogenic activities. However, the
values of these metals decreased with increasing distance from the road inward. Also, significant
difference in heavy metal concentrations among the sampling locations at p<0.05 level both in
soil and plant were observed. Therefore, economic plants should not be planted along the
highway to avoid heavy metal contamination.

Key words: Heavy Metal, highway, Soil, Plants, Mubi, Gombi

INTRODUCTION

Soils and vegetation polluted with heavy metals have
become common across the Globe due to increase in
geologic and anthropogenic activities (Chibuike and
Obiora, 2014). Roadsides soils have been shown to have
considerable contamination due to both depositions on
vehicle derive metal and relocation of metals deposit on
road surface (Okunola et al., 2007). These metals are found
in fuels, fuel tanks, engines and other vehicle components,
catalytic converters, tires and brake pads, as well as in road
surface materials (Zehetner et al., 2009). The most
frequently reported heavy metals of concern have been Pb,
Zn, and Cu (Wang, 2008).
Plants growing on these soils show a reduction in growth,
performance and yield. Growth reductions as a result of
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
changes in physiological and biochemical processes in
plants growing on heavy metal polluted soils have been
recorded (Toafeek and Tolulope, 2012). Continued
declined in plants growth reduces yield which eventually
lead to food insecurity.
*Corresponding author: Allen Abu Dusa, Departments of
Agricultural and Bioenvironmental Engineering, Federal
Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria. Email:
allen.dusa@gmail.com, Tel. 08130976890 Co-Authors
Email: 1priscillaalexander21@yahoo.com, Tel: 08077727958;
2
nachana’a.timothy@gmail.com, Tel: 07030103953,
Alexander et al. 087
Figure 1: Map of the study area showing sampling points
Heavy metal contaminants can easily impact people
residing within the vicinity of the roads via suspended dust
or direct contact (Chen et al., 2010). If there are farmlands
within the scope that the contaminants can reach, they may
enter the food chain as a result of their uptake by edible
plants (Kumar et al., 2018a; Kumar et al., 2018b; Gupta et
al., 2009; Bakirdere and Yaman, 2008) thus causing
serious health risks. Because of their toxicity (especially for
Cd and Pb), persistence and non-degradability
characteristics, it is of great importance to monitor the
heavy metals concentrations in roadside environments
(Christoforidis and Stamatis, 2009).
Nabulo et al., (2006) has observed that the most
economical and reasonable method for monitoring heavy
metals in the atmosphere is using soil and vegetation
samples. Hence, soil and vegetation have been widely
used as cumulative matrices of long and short-term
exposure respectively to environmental pollutants (Addo et
al., 2012; Menesses et al., 1999).
The aim of this study is to evaluate the level of some
selected heavy metals in roadside soil and plant along
Mubi-Gombi highway and to enlightened people living
along Mubi-Gombi roadside environment about the
hazards and implications of farming near road.
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
Adamawa state is located at the North Eastern part of
Nigeria. It lies between latitude 700 and 110 N of the equator
and between longitude 1100 and 140 E of the Greenwich
meridian. It shares boundary with Taraba State in the South
and West, Gombe State in its North West and Borno to the
North, Adamawa State has an international boundary with
the Cameron Republic along its Eastern border. The State
covers the land area of about 38741 km2 (Adebayo and
Tukur, 1999).
Six major towns along Mubi –Gombi highway were selected
for soil and fresh plant leaf sample (Figure 1). This major
road was chosen for the study, because it has the heaviest
traffic, these towns include: Mubi, Mararaba, Makera,
Kala’a, Hong and Gombi.
A total of eighten (18) surface soil samples (three each)
were randomly collected from each town with the aid of
stainless steel spoon , washed with soap and rinsed with
distilled water after each sampling (Alexander, 2015), at
variable distance from the edge of the main road 5 m, 10
m, and 15 m away from the edge of the road. The soil
sampling spots were cleared of debris before taking the
sample (Chimuka et al., 2005).
 Int. Res. J. Chem. Chem. Sci. 088

Twenty gram of soil samples in each town were collected
randomly from every sample location along Mubi – Gombi
highway. The collected soil samples were placed in labelled
cellophane bags (Bamgbose et al., 2000), and were taken
to the laboratory for pre-treatment and analysis.
Also, a total of eighten (18) fresh plant leave samples
(Cynodon dactylon commonly known as Bahama grass,
belonging to the family of Poaceae) three each were
randomly collected from the vicinity of the sampling areas
where the soil samples were collected. These samples
were collected using a clean stainless-steel pair of scissors
(Okonkwo and Maribe, 2004), place in paper bags, labelled
and taken to the laboratory for pre-treatment and analysis.
Sample preparation
Soil samples from each site were homogenized and air
dried, crushed and ground then was sieved through 0.2mm
sieve (Alexander 2015).
Plant samples was rinsed with distilled water to remove any
attached soil particles, the plant samples were cut in to
smaller portions before placing in a large clean crucible
where they are oven dried at 1000C for 48h.The dried plant
samples was grinded into fine particles using clean acid
washed mortar and pestle (Awofolo 2005)
210 VGP Buck Scientific model following the procedure
adopted by Barkbes et al., (2014).
Data Analysis
The obtained data were subjected to analysis of variance
(ANOVA) and the results were presented in the form of
means ±SD of triplicate determination
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The mean concentration distribution of Heavy metals in soil
and plants with variable distance away from the edge of the
road for the study area are shown in Tables I and 2
respectively. Generally, the concentration distribution of
heavy metals in soil and plants decreased with increased
distance away from the edge of the road inward. The result
of the ANOVA revealed that there was significant difference
in heavy metal concentrations among the sampling
locations at p<0.05 level both in soil and plant. At p<0.05
there was no correlation among the elements in both soil
and plants, with the exception of Fe and Mg (r = - 0.832)
which has a negative correlation. Implying that roadside
soil contamination by Fe and Mg originated from a common
anthropogenic source with probably automobile emission
as their source.

Sample Digestion Table 1: mean concentration of heavy metal in surface

soil (mg/ kg)
Two gram of soil sample was placed in 100cm 3 tall form Sample Cd Pb Co Fe Mg
beaker. 10cm3 of 1:1 nitric acid and water was added to it Location
and boiled gently on a hot plate until the volume was Mubi 0.02±0.01 0.67±0.02 0.33±0.01 268.75±20.02 2.04±0.04
Mararaba 0.05±0.01 0.33±0.02 0.33±0.04 250.77±18.7 2.35±0.06
reduced to near dryness and then cool. 10cm 3 of distilled
Makera 0.03±0.01 1.50±0.01 0.13±0.02 311.74±22.8 2.19±0.05
water was added to it and then boiled gently again until the Kala’a 0.05±0.02 2.7±0,03 0.84±0.06 243.80±16.4 1.75±0.03
volume was approximately 2cm3. The suspension was Hong 0.03±0.01 0.70±0.20 0.48±0.03 290.51±21.6 2.27±0.04
allowed to cool and filtered throw a Whatman No. 540 filter Gombi 0.02±0.03 0.74±0.04 0.63±0.05 305.73±21.9 2.13±0.04
paper, the beaker and filter paper was washed with small Range 0.02±0.01- 0.33±0.01- 0.13±0.02- 243.80±16.4- 1.75±0.03-
portions of distilled water until a volume of about 25cm 3 was 0.05±0.01 2.70±0.20 0.84±0.06 311.74±22.8 2.35±0.06
obtain. The filtrate was transferred into a 50cm 3 graduated WHO 0-0.15 0-0.15 0-0.08 0-40 0-30
flasks and made up to the mark with distilled water All values represent mean ± SD of triplicate determination
WHQ (2007): World health organization
(Alexander, 2015). The quantitation of metallic content of
the soil samples was carried out in triplicates by atomic
absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) 210 VGP Buck Table 2 Mean concentration of heavy metal in plants
Scientific model following the procedure adopted by (mg/ kg).
Barkbes et al., (2014).
Sample Cd Pb Co Fe Mg
Location
Two grams of the powdered plant sample was weighed into Mubi 0.02±0.01 0.23±0.03 0.5±0.03 85.12±5.48 2.24±0.50
“high form” porcelain crucible, the crucible with the sample Mararaba 0.01±0.00 0.25±0.07 0.88±0.20 56.29±4.65 2.32±0.07
was placed into furnace and the temperature was increased Makera 0.03±0.02 0.82±0.10 0.77±0.16 67.18±4.33 2.11±0.18
gradually until the temperature reached 5500C. The sample Kala’a 0.04±0.02 0.67±0.09 0.69±0.14 53.39±3.65 2.23±0.19
was ash until a white or grey ash was observed in the Hong 0.02±0.01 0.17±0.04 0.20±0.03 41.56±3.21 2.24±0.08
crucible. The ash was dissolved by adding 1mL of conc. Gombi 0.03±0.01 0.55±0.08 0.50±0.06 57.38±4.43 2.28±0.10
Range 0.01±0.00- 0.17±0.04- 0.20±0.03- 41.56±3.21- 2.11±0.18-
HNO3 to the crucible. The dissolved ash was transferred
0.04±0.2 0.82±0.10 0.88±0.20 85.12±5.48 2.32±0.19
into 50mL volumetric flasks. It was diluted to volume with WHO 0-0.12 0-0.12 0-0.05 0-30 0-15
distilled water (AOAC, 2000). The quantitation of metallic All values represent mean ± SD of triplicate determination
content of the vegetation samples was carried out in WHQ (2007): World health organization
triplicates by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Alexander et al. 089
Figure 1: Variation in concentration of cadmium in soil and
plants of the study area
The value of Cd in soil and plant samples ranged from
0.02±0.01-0.050±0.01 mg/ kg and 0.01±0.00-0.04±0.02
mg/ kg respectively. The highest concentration 0.050±0.01
mg/ kg in soil were recorded both in Mararaba and Kala’a,
while that of plant (0.04±0.02 mg/ kg) was also recorded in
Kala’a. The lowest concentration 0.02±0.01 mg/ kg in soil
were found in Mubi as well as Gombi while 0.01±0.00 mg/
kg in plant were recorded in Mararaba (Tables 1 and 2).
Similar result was reported by Bi et al (2010). The Variation
in concentration of cadmium in soil and plants with the
sample area was showed in Figure 1.
However, the recorded value in both plant and soil sample
fall within the permissible limit of WHO/FAO (2007)
standard. The presence of Cd in the soil dust might result
from industrial work such as battery and other electrical
works along the road. It could also be due to lubricating oils
and/or old tires that are frequently used on the rough
surface of the road which increases the wearing tires. Cd is
frequently used in various industrial activities. The major
industrial applications of Cd include the production of
alloys, pigment and batteries (Paul et al. 2014).
Figure 2: Variation in concentration of Lead in soil and plants
of the study area
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Pb is a naturally occurring bluish –gray metal present in
small amount in earth crust. Although Pb occurs naturally
in the environment, anthropogenic activities such as fossil
fuel burning, mining and manufacturing contribute to the
release of high concentrations (Dusa et al 2017). In this
study the mean concentration of Pb ranged from 0.02±0.01-
2.70±0.02 mg/ kg and 0.17±0.04-0.82±0.10 mg/ kg in soil
and plant respectively as shown in Tables 1 and 2.The
highest concentration in soil and plant was recorded in
Kala’a and Makera, while the lowest in soil and plant were
found at Mararaba and Hong respectively. Figure 2 showed
the variation in concentration of Pb in soil and plant with the
sampling sites. The concentration of Lead in the plant
samples is lower as compared to the soil samples.
However, the values of Pb in both soil and plant in all the
study area were higher as compared to WHO’s limit.
Similar results were also reported by Alexander (2015). The
high level of Pb in the study area could be attributed to the
heavy traffic volume, excessive application of fertilizer and
pesticides as well as combustion of gasoline (Meneses et
al., 1999; Kumar et al., 2018a). Therefore control measure
should be taken to reduce the high level of Pb which can
enter into the food chain through contamination of food
crops grown near the road side because Pb is noted as
toxic and it has adverse effect both on human and animals.
Figure 3: Variation in concentration of Cobalt in soil and
plants in the study area
The mean concentration of Co ranged from 0.13±0.02-
0.84±0.06 mg/ kg in soil and 0.20±0.03-0.88±0.20 mg/ kg
in plant. The highest concentration 0.84±0.06 mg/ kg in soil
and 0.88±0.06 mg/ kg in plant were found in Kala’a and
Mararaba respectively. The lowest values 0.13±0.02 mg/ kg
in soil and 0.20±0.03mg/Kg in plant were observed in
Mararaba and Hong respectively as seen in Tables 1 and
2. Similar thing was observed by Okunola et al., (2007). The
variation in concentration of Cobalt in soil and plants with
the sampling areas were shown in Figure 3. The
concentration of Co in all the sampling sites exceeds the
standard limit of WHO. The high concentration of Co might
be due to the runoff from parent material.

Figure 4: Variation in concentration of Iron in soil and plants
in the study area
The mean concentration of Fe ranged from 243.80±16.4-
311.74±22.8 mg/ kg and 41.56±3.21-85.12±3.48 mg/ kg in
soil and plant respectively. The highest concentration
311.74±22.8 mg/,kg in soil and 85.12±3.48mg/Kg in plant
were observed in Makera and Mubi respectively. While the
lowest values 243.80±16.4 mg/kg in soil and 41.56±3.21
mg/kg in plant were found in Kala’a and Hong respectively
(Tables 1 and 2). The variation in concentration of Iron in
soil and plant with the sample areas were shown in Figure
3. All the values in the study area were above WHO
standard limit. The high concentration observed in both soil
and plant is expected because it has been reported that Fe
occurs at high concentration in Nigerian soil (Chibuike and
Obiora 2014, Carrero et al., 2010). However, the values
obtained in the study corroborate the report of Akbar et al
(2006). The high level of Fe concentration observed might
be due to the runoff water from Fe containing material. It
could also be due to Fe rich - soil of the area (Kumar et al
2007). However, Fe is not a toxic metal because it serves
as micronutrient.
Figure 5: Variation in concentration of Magnesium in soil and
plants in the study area
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Int. Res. J. Chem. Chem. Sci. 090
The mean concentration of Mg ranged from 1.75±0.03-
2.35±0.06 mg/ kg in soil and 2.11±0.18-2.32±0.07 mg/ kg
in plant. The highest value 2.35±0.06 mg/ kg in soil and
2.32±0.07 mg/ kg in plant were observed both in Mararaba.
While the lowest value 1.75±0.03 mg/ kg in soil and
2.11±0.18mg/Kg in plant were recorded in Kala’a and
Makera respectively (Tables 1 and 2). The findings are in
line with the report of Chimuka et al., (2005). Figure 5
showed the Variation in concentration of Magnesium in soil
and plants with the sample area. The concentration of Mg
in all the sampling sites were within WHO standard limit.
CONCLUSION
Generally, the result of the study revealed that the
concentration of heavy metals decreased as the distance
away from the edge of the road increased. The
concentration of the metals in the soil and plant leaf
samples are in the order Fe>Mg>Pb>Co>Cd. The heavy
metal concentrations were higher in the soil than in the
plant. The concentration of Pb, Fe and Co were found to be
higher than WHO limit which shows that the roadside
environment were polluted with these metals. Since these
metals are toxic with the exception of Fe, crops should not
be cultivated near the roadside environment to avoid
contamination and toxic metals into human and animal
body through food chain. Also control measures such as
physical/chemical remediation, phytoremediaton, microbial
remediation and traditional remediation should be
employed to lower the concentration of these metals.
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Accepted 21 March 2018
Citation: Alexander P, Timothy N and Dusa AA (2018).
Evaluation of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants along Mubi-
Gombi Highway, Adamawa State, Nigeria. International
Research Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Sciences, 5(1):
086-091.
Copyright: © 2018 Alexander et al. This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original author and source are cited.