Metal concentration of liquid effluents and surroundings of a Pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

Major and trace metals (Mg, Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Sn, Al, Pb, As, Cr, Cd, Mn and Ti) in liquid effluents, soil sediments and plant parts (roots and leaves) from Tisco Nigeria Limited, Akure, were determined in both open effluent channel and closed direct tank. The plant in the open effluent channel was Pennisetum purpureum while the one around the direct tank was Chloris pilosa. The correlation coefficient (Cc) of the metals in the open channel gave the values: soil sediments/water (0.61), roots/leaves (0.709); and (0.34), (0.91), respectively, in direct tank. F-test values showed that 67 % of the metals were significantly different (p < 0.05) among the samples. The soil sediments would serve as reservoir for all the metals determined. This was also the case for both plant roots with species variation. The plant leaves showed evidence of bioaccumulation of some metals. The high levels of Pb, As and Cd in the samples call for concern as environmental contaminants.

KEY WORDS: Major and trace metals, Liquid effluents, Soil sediments, Leaves, Roots

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2007, 21(1), 23-31.