Determination of Heavy Metal Grown Along Bank of River Lamurde

ABSTRACT This study investigates the levels of heavy metals in commonly consumed vegetables scent leaf, Drumstick leaf, pumpkin leaf, and sorrel cultivated along the banks of River Lamurde. The aim was to assess the concentration of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and zinc (Zn) and evaluate their potential health risks to consumers. Vegetable samples were collected from multiple locations along the riverbank and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results revealed varying concentrations of heavy metals across the different vegetables, with lead and cadmium exceeding permissible limits set by WHO/FAO in some samples. Leafy vegetables like sorrel and pumpkin leaf showed higher metal accumulation due to their larger surface area and absorption properties. The contamination is attributed to agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and other anthropogenic activities near the river. Prolonged consumption of these contaminated vegetables poses serious health risks, including neurological disorders, kidney dysfunction, and bioaccumulation of toxic metals. The study concludes that vegetables grown along River Lamurde are at risk of heavy metal contamination, necessitating urgent environmental management and food safety interventions. It recommends regular monitoring of soil and water quality, enforcement of pollution control regulations, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate health risks. These findings contribute to the existing knowledge on environmental contamination and food safety, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices in polluted areas.