Open AccessACCUMULATION OF LEAD, CADMIUM AND SULPHUR IN PASTURE GRASSES GROWING ALONG TRAFFIC HIGHWAY AND INDUSTRIAL LAYOUT IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Author(s) -
C. S. Odoemena,
KE Akpabio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nigerian journal of animal production
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0331-2062
DOI - 10.51791/njap.v24i1.2355
Subject(s) - pasture , cadmium , environmental science , cynodon dactylon , agronomy , panicum , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Possible uptake of lead, cadmium and sulphur by ruminants from three pasture grasses, Penisetum purpureum, Panicum repens and Cynodom dactylon growing along traffic highway and industrial estate in Akwa Ibom state was investigated. Concentration of the heavy metals and sulphur in the grasses were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and colorimetric methods respectively. P. repens from the traffic highway contained the highest amount of lead (56.5µg g-1) and sulphur (681 ppm dry weight) which were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those from industrial layout (36.45µg g-1, Pb and 545 ppm sulphur respectively). The highest content of cadmium (1.6µg g1) was obtained from P. repens and C. dactylon from the same location of the traffic highway. The concentration of the contaminants in all the grasses from industrial layout and traffic highway were higher (p<0.05) than those from arable farm land and rural village which made up the control treatment. The results provide reliable information on the possible dangers ruminant animals are exposed to by grazing forages along traffic highways and around industries.