Levels of Selected Heavy Metals and Physicochemical Parameters in Soils and Watermelon Samples from Mainok Farmland, Kaga L.G.A, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Zn and Co); and Ions (NO₃ ^- ,  NO₂ ^- , PO₄^-3 , SO₄ ^-2 , K⁺ , Na⁺ , Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺); in seed, pulp, leaves, stem and root of watermelon varieties (sugar baby and crimson  sweet) and soil at different depth (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30 cm from Mainok in Kaga local government area. All parameters were  analyzed using standard analytical tools (Atomic Absorption and UV visible smart spectrophotometer). The result also showed that iron  has the highest concentration in all the samples analysed, while lead showed the least concentration in watermelon pulp from Minok  agricultural location in all the samples analyzed. The levels of the heavy metals were found to increase significantly (p<0. 05) to depth of  30 cm. The concentrations of all the parameters analyzed were below the threshold limits set by W.H.O. Thus, the soil of Mainok, Kaga  Local Government Area of Borno State may not impact pose immediate health hazard to the general populace via consumption of  watermelons from the study area.