Heavy Metals Accumulation in Maize (Zea mays) Farmland in FCT Abuja

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in terrestrial ecosystem is of concern for a number of reasons. Pollutants in the soil may be absorbed through the roots together with soil water in which they are dissolved and may either cause injury to the plants or pass through the food chain when the plants are consumed. This study evaluated the level of accumulation of these heavy metals in maize farmland in Abuja. Five heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Fe, Pb and Cd) were assessed in maize grains and soil with respect to location and seasonal variation. The result showed that both the soil and maize planted in FCT are not contaminated with heavy metals. However, soil samples had higher heavy metals concentration compare to the maize grains. It was therefore concluded that heavy metals concentration was less than 1 mg/kg, in both the dry and raining season. The dry season samples have higher heavy metals concentration in both the soil and maize samples.