Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
The purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations in Commelina africana L. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The envir...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8178901 |
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| author | Nsikak U. Benson Paul A. Enyong Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu |
| author_facet | Nsikak U. Benson Paul A. Enyong Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu |
| author_sort | Nsikak U. Benson |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations in Commelina africana L. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The environmental risks associated with soil contamination were elaborately assessed using potential ecological risk index, sediment quality guidelines, and enrichment relative to background levels. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sandflat soil samples are 0.76±9.0×10-2, 7.39±8.7×10-1, 2.28±0.35, 0.024±4.0×10-3, and 74.51±2.55 mg/kg, respectively. Metal levels indicate strong variability with sampling sites. The order of trace metal concentrations in the Commelina africana L. samples is Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The concentrations varied with the sample locations; and the levels of Pb (0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg) at all locations are found to be significantly below permissible level of 0.3 mg/kg. Potential sources of metal loadings may be associated with localised or diffused anthropogenic activities. The average carcinogenic risks are below 1.0×10-6 threshold values, and the sandflat soils are not considered to pose significant health effects to children and adult males and females. However, the carcinogenicity and noncarcinogenicity risks ranking decrease following the order children>adult males>adult females. Comparatively, the hazard quotient and hazard index indicate that the psammitic sandflats might pose a health risk to children in future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e65fe4cb69e4218b13c44d07ab32ac6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-7667 1687-7675 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e65fe4cb69e4218b13c44d07ab32ac62025-02-03T06:11:35ZengWileyApplied and Environmental Soil Science1687-76671687-76752016-01-01201610.1155/2016/81789018178901Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, NigeriaNsikak U. Benson0Paul A. Enyong1Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu2Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, Km 10 Idiroko Road, Ota, NigeriaDepartment of Chemistry, University of Uyo, Uyo, NigeriaAnalytical and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, Km 10 Idiroko Road, Ota, NigeriaThe purpose of this study was to investigate and quantify trace metal concentrations in Commelina africana L. and psammitic sandflats from an intertidal coastal ecosystem in Niger Delta, Nigeria, and to evaluate their spatial distribution, degree of contamination, and source apportionment. The environmental risks associated with soil contamination were elaborately assessed using potential ecological risk index, sediment quality guidelines, and enrichment relative to background levels. The mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sandflat soil samples are 0.76±9.0×10-2, 7.39±8.7×10-1, 2.28±0.35, 0.024±4.0×10-3, and 74.51±2.55 mg/kg, respectively. Metal levels indicate strong variability with sampling sites. The order of trace metal concentrations in the Commelina africana L. samples is Zn>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The concentrations varied with the sample locations; and the levels of Pb (0.05 to 0.08 mg/kg) at all locations are found to be significantly below permissible level of 0.3 mg/kg. Potential sources of metal loadings may be associated with localised or diffused anthropogenic activities. The average carcinogenic risks are below 1.0×10-6 threshold values, and the sandflat soils are not considered to pose significant health effects to children and adult males and females. However, the carcinogenicity and noncarcinogenicity risks ranking decrease following the order children>adult males>adult females. Comparatively, the hazard quotient and hazard index indicate that the psammitic sandflats might pose a health risk to children in future.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8178901 |
| spellingShingle | Nsikak U. Benson Paul A. Enyong Omowunmi H. Fred-Ahmadu Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria Applied and Environmental Soil Science |
| title | Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |
| title_full | Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |
| title_short | Trace Metal Contamination Characteristics and Health Risks Assessment of Commelina africana L. and Psammitic Sandflats in the Niger Delta, Nigeria |
| title_sort | trace metal contamination characteristics and health risks assessment of commelina africana l and psammitic sandflats in the niger delta nigeria |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/8178901 |
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