Assessment of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Two Aquatic Macrophyte Tissues in Taylor Creek, Zarama, Bayelsa State


Authors : Alagoa, K.J, Adigwe P, Daworiye, P.S.

Volume/Issue : Volume 4 - 2019, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://goo.gl/DF9R4u

Scribd : https://goo.gl/vLzbFi

Thomson Reuters ResearcherID : https://goo.gl/KTXLC3

An investigation of the levels of heavy metals in the aquatic macrophytes, water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes) and water lily (Nymphaea odorata) of Taylor Creek was carried out. This was done in order to gauge the pollution status of the creek and to determine the possibility of bioaccumulation and magnification on other living organisms in the food chain. This is of grave public health concern. Heavy metals were measured in whole plants (Leaf, stem and roots) of water hyacinth and water lily from four (4) sampling stations with distinct land use adjacent the creek. Samples were collected in triplicates from each of the stations for water hyacinth and water lily. A total of twenty four (24) samples were collected. Samples were put in dark cellophane bags tagged and sent to the Niger Delta University, Chemical sciences laboratory for analyses. Heavy metals in these plant tissues were determined using standard techniques. Result indicates that a total of five (5) heavy metals were isolated. These are Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu) and Nickel (Ni).Heavy metal concentrations were higher in the water hyacinth than in the water lily for all metals and all stations sampled. This implies that water hyacinth poses greater quality for use in phytoremediation and greater risk for bioaccumulation than water lily. The heavy metal prevalence shows that Cu>Pb>Ni>Cd>Cr. Heavy metal parameters measured were relatively low Suggesting a low level of prevalence in the environment or a high degree of absorption or affinity for the sediments. Based on the finding of this research it can be concluded that though heavy metal concentration in the macrophytes of Taylor creek is low, the use of the macrophytes for animal feed and curative medicines portends grave danger to human health as heavy metals are lethal even in trace quantities.

Keywords : Heavy metal, Macrophytes, Water hyacinth, Water lily, Taylor Creek.

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