Bioconcentration of Heavy Metals by Wild Plants Along Holomorphic Soils in Sule-Tankarkar Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Nigeria

This study aims at assessing the heavy metals concentration levels in wild plants along the holomorphic soil in Suletankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State, Nigeria. Soil and Plant samples were collected from 7 different locations. Two (2) locations each from Danaldi and Danzomo districts while a location each from Dangwanki, Jeke and Suletankarkar districts. A 20cm2 quadrant was thrown at random. At each location, soil sample was collected from 0 – 10cm depth and mixed to obtain one composite sample. Samples of all plant species found growing within 1 m radius of each sampling point were collected and preserved in pressed paper. Both Soil and Plant samples were analyzed for heavy metals concentration using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results show that; Cd with 3.6 ppm has the highest while Zn with 0.28 ppm has the least concentration in the soil at Danzomo I. The plants have varying concentrations ranging from Pd with 0.04 ppm to Zn with 5.42 ppm in Mitracarpus hirtus; Cr with 0.07 ppm to Zn with 6.42 ppm in Spermacoce radita; Co and Cr both with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 1.47 ppm in Corchonis olitorius. The elemental concentration in the soil at Danzomo II ranges from Co with 0.4 ppm to Cd with 2.75 ppm. In plants, the concentration ranges from Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 1.87 ppm in Cenchrus biflorus; Cr with 0.04 to Mn with 11.8 ppm in Commelina erecta; Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 21.5 ppm in Guiera senegalensis; again Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 3.1 ppm in Cassia singueana. Zn with 0.28 ppm has the least while Mn with 4.0 has the highest elemental concentration value in the soil at Danladi I. The mineral concentration ranges from Cr with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 2.54 ppm in Philliostigma thonningii; Co with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 16.8 ppm in Sida cordifolia; Co and Cr both with 0.04 ppm to Mn with 5.15 ppm in Alysicarpus vaginalis. These results support the conclusion that the heavy metal concentration in all the sampled plants exceeded the WHO standard limit for consumption. Therefore, the authors recommended that the heavy metal concentrations in plants, soils, water and air should be frequently monitored by the appropriate authority in the State. Keywords: Heavy metals, Concentration, Plants, Soil

A Study of Holomorphic Soil in SuleTankarkar Local Government Area of Jigawa State Using Remote Sensed Data

This study is carried out to examine Holomorphic soil formation in one of the local Government Areas of Jigawa State – SuleTankarkar LGA. Unsupervised random sampling technique was used to select the sampling sites from the five districts that make up the Local Government. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used in the field for data collection. The sample soils collected were taken to laboratory for physicochemical analysis unto which the textural classes and electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils were measured. The results for EC measurement ranges from 8.22µS/cm – 63.7µS/cm with lowest figures at Danladi site 1 and the highest figures occurs at Danzomo site 1. The textural class measurement revealed that Dangwanki site 2, Jeke site 1 and 2 were classified with sandy soil. Danladi site 2, Danzomo site 1 and SuleTankarkar site 2 falls under sandy loam type. While Dangwanki site 1, Danladi site 1, Danzomo site 2 and SuleTankarkar site 1 were classified with loamy sand. The 36 Normalized Difference vegetation Index (NDVI) data sets utilized for the study were recomposed into 4 Multiple Value Composites (MVCs) and then reclassed to derive the bare soil images used for the GIS analysis. The empirical reflectance method was applied to detect the spatial spectral reflectance pattern of the dielectric properties of the soil. The spectral curves showed that there were existences of holomorphic soil formation from 2000 to 2009, but significantly decrease to 2010. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) for time-series analysis was also incorporated with the used of Standardized principal components. This gave a clear indication of its formation from the components loadings and graphs with about 65% of the areas been affected. Holomorphic soil formation causes changes in agricultural suitability, and declining rate of productivity. It is therefore necessary to construct drainage channels to alleviate flooding and waterlogging, soil nutrient management shall be induced such like application of manures. Key words: Holomorphic, Electric conductivity, empirical reflectance, principal components analysi