ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN SELECTED VEGETABLES RAISED WITH DUMP SITE SOIL

Vegetables are a vital component of the human diet due to their rich nutritional content. However, they can pose health risks when grown on ecologically disturbed land, they can accumulate hazardous levels of metals, posing risks to public health. Despite reports of associated health risks, the consumption of vegetables grown under such conditions remains prevalent. Soil samples were collected from a waste management dumpsite in Igbatoro, Akure Ondo State, Nigeria, and planted with Abelmoschus esculentus, Corchorus clitorius, and Telfairia occidentalis. Afterwards, the plant samples underwent Preparation, Digestion and Analysis for heavy metal content using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The Bioaccumulation factor was also calculated, and Statistical Analysis was performed using SPSS. The Analysis of metals in the vegetables evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer showed that the metals varied among the vegetable species, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) also revealed significant difference in heavy metals in the vegetables evaluated. The mean concentration of heavy metals varied among the vegetables without following any particular pattern, Abelmoschus esculentus exhibited the highest mean concentration in Zn (1.32 mg/kg), Cr (0.27 mg/kg), Cd (0.03 mg/kg) and Pb (0.59 mg/kg). Corchorus olitorius showed a mean Zn concentration of (1.09 mg/kg), Cr (0.16 mg/kg), Cd (0.05 mg/kg) and Pb (0.93 mg/kg), while Telfairia occidentalis had Zn (0.89 mg/kg), Cr (0.91 mg/kg), Cả (0.02 mg/kg) and Pb (0.68 mg/kg). The expance of the Bioaccumulation factor Analysis furthermore revealed differential metal accumulation among the vegetable species. Conversely, Zinc, Chromium, and Cadmium levels were within permissible limits for safe consumption in all vegetables except for lead. The Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF) was less than 1 for all metals in all vegetables, suggesting they are not efficient accumulators. These findings suggest that Okra, Fluted gourd, and Ewedu are generally safe for consumption concerning Zinc, Chromium, and Cadmium. However, lead contamination from the soil poses a health risk. Therefore, regular monitoring of heavy metal levels in vegetables and implementing good agricultural practices along with proper waste management are important to minimize contamination and ensure food safety.