ACCUMULATION OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta) CULTIVATED AT VARIOUS SITES IRRIGATED WITH TEXTILE EFFLUENT
Isah, B.I., Ado, G.This study evaluates heavy metal accumulation in cassava (Manihot esculenta) grown on the soils irrigated with textile effluent. Root samples were collected from effluent-affected and control fields. Samples were digested and analyzed via AAS/ICP-OES to quantify lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd),chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). The results revealed that effluent-irrigated sites accumulated significantly higher concentrations of lead (Pb,9.1μg/kg) compared to the control. Cadmium (Cd) levels were extremely elevated (29.4 μg/kg), exceeding those of the control by more than tenfold. Chromium (Cr) concentrations were slightly higher (66.9 μg/kg), while zinc (Zn, 50.3 μg/kg) and copper (Cu, 21.4 μg/kg) showed moderate increases relative to the control.