Research

Trace metal components of Gambaya albida (Linn.) grown in soils contaminated with spent lubricating oil

Agbogidi O.M

Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.

Email: Omagbogidi@yahoo.com

Accepted 24 March 2013

Abstract

The trace metal components of Gambaya albida seedlings grown in spent engine oil contaminated soils were evaluated in Asaba, Nigeria in 2010 for nine weeks (late April to June) in a pot experiment. Five crude oil levels (0.00, 2.07, 4.15, 6.23 and 8.30% w/w) in soil constituted the treatments. The results showed that spent oil contaminated soils significantly led to the buildup of trace metals including lead, chromium, iron, nickel and cadmium when compared with values obtained for both soil and plant tissues of G. albida seedlings grown in the uncontaminated soils. Values of metals from the oil treated soils, and plant tissues grown there were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher relative to values obtained in the untreated soils. The study has demonstrated that spent engine oil contamination of soil leads to a gradual buildup of trace metals which when absorbed by G. albida shoots and roots could be potentially toxic and harmful hence constituting health risk if consumed as food by man and other animals.

Keywords: Trace metals, Gambaya albida, spent engine oil, bioaccumulation, health risk