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- Title
CONCENTRATION LEVELS OF NITRATE AND NITRITE IN SOILS AND SOME LEAFY VEGETABLES OBTAINED IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA.
- Authors
Uwah, E. I.; Abah, J.; Ndahi, N. P.; Ogugbuaja, V. O.
- Abstract
Concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were investigated in the soils, and edible portions of some leafy vegetables [spinach (Amaranthus caudatus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), cabbage (Brassica oleracea) and water leaf (Talinum triagulare) obtained in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Nitrate and nitrite in the soil and vegetable samples were determined using UV-Visible Spectrophotometric method. The physicochemical parameters of the soils were determined by standard procedures. Levels of the anions in the vegetables and soils generally ranged from low to high. NO3- ranged from 479.60±10.78 to 8920.00±24.45 μgg-1 in the leafy vegetables. NO3- levels were generally higher than NO2-. The results in general recorded higher levels of the anions in soils and vegetables obtained in the sample areas than their corresponding levels in the control samples, which are indications of possible pollution of the sample areas as a result of excessive usage of fertilizers, manures and irrigation with wastewater. Physicochemical parameters determination revealed the soils in the study area to be loamy sand in texture, slightly acidic with low organic matter contents and small amount of clay. Transfer factors for the anions between the soils and vegetables identify the efficiency of a vegetable species to accumulate a given anion. There was positive correlation at p = 0.05 between the anions in the vegetables. The results obtained in this study were higher than the published maximum permissible content of nitrate and nitrite in some vegetables and fruits. Therefore consumption of these vegetables as food may pose possible health hazards to humans and animals at the time of the study.
- Subjects
MAIDUGURI (Nigeria); NIGERIA; INDUSTRIAL concentration; NITRITES -- Environmental aspects; NITROGEN compounds &; the environment; ATMOSPHERIC nitrogen compounds; SOIL testing; ENVIRONMENTAL soil science; EDIBLE greens; AGRICULTURAL chemicals; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
Journal of Applied Sciences in Environmental Sanitation, 2009, Vol 4, Issue 3, p233
- ISSN
0126-2807
- Publication type
Article