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Heavy Metal Composition Of Commercial Fertilizers From Zaria, Northern Nigeria


EE Ogabiela
ED Paul
OB Adesina
EM Okonkwo
JO Ogbonna
SM Amana

Abstract

The heavy metal composition of some commercial fertilizers and soil supplements used in Zaria were analysed. The fertilizers analysed include Liquid Organic fertilizer, Palette Organic fertilizer, Urea, Super phosphate, NPK, some of the soil supplements analysed are cow dung and chicken droppings. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) the following range of heavy metal concentrations were obtained: Cu 3.92-38.14mg/l, Mn 0.057-199.17mg/l, Cr 0.19-2.207mg/l, Zn 1.35-83.12mg/l, Fe 5.00-514.18mg/l, Ni 0.063-149mg/l, Pb 9.86-15.52mg/l, Co 0.26-2.87mg/l..
Super phosphate had the highest abundance of Iron (514.18mg/l). These values were compared to standards for heavy metals in fertilizers and supplements for other countries and were found to be below the limits. Like other countries, it will be important for Nigeria to have set standards for heavy metals levels for fertilizers used in the country.

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eISSN: 2992-4464
print ISSN: 1118-0579