ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to assess heavy metal contamination of Ikhueniro dumpsite in Benin City, Edo state. Different parts of the maize plant had the ability to bio accumulate some of these heavy metals from the soil. This bioaccumulation by maize plants can pose a great risk to animals and humans if consumed. Soils were collected from The University of Benin Botanical Garden as a control and Ikhueniro Dumpsite. Soil samples were collected at 0-20 cm depth with the aid of soil augar and hand trowel. Soil parameters such as pH, Phosphorous, Total organic Nitrogen, Total organic carbon, Bulk density, moisture content, particle density, Moisture content and Pb, Cr, Cu, Cd, Zn and Fe were analyzed in soils using standard methods. pH values of the dumpsite and control site ranged from 6.52  to 9.11. The heavy metal content properties of the soil samples at the dumpsite as shown in Table 1 revealed that the concentration of heavy metals were in the following order; Fe (19.5) > Zn (1.85)> Cr (0.3) > Pb (0.1) > Cu (0.1) > Cu (0.00) all in ppm. From the contamination factor of the soil,  soil samples may be classified as moderately contaminated with respect to Cu, considerably contaminated with respect to Cr and low contamination with respect to Pb, Fe, Cd and Zn. Heavy metals accumulation pattern of maize was in order  of root<stem<leaf, the highest concentration was observed in leaf. Contamination factor indicated that soil qualities varied between slightly contaminated to severely polluted status. This showed that the heavy metal contamination of the soils does not call for any alarm; proactive measures must be taken to minimize accumulation of these metals.