Event Title
Uptake of lead from contaminated soils by various plants
Faculty Mentor
Samuel Mutiti
Keywords
Samuel Mutiti
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination is active in most mining towns and is even worse with lax environmental regulations. Zambia, a developing southern Africa nation has many active mines and one of the worst polluted places in the world, Kabwe. Kabwe once boasted a productive lead, zinc and cadmium mine which operated for over 90 years causing widespread contamination. The main contaminant is lead, a heavy metal that can cause various diseases and death. In this study, we assessed the level of lead contamination in soils, water and plants in Kabwe. Lead concentrations were quantified using the Aqua Regia method and Atomic Absorption spectrometry. The role of plants in lead removal from soils and human exposure is also investigated. The plants studied were Brassica rapa, tithonia diversifolia, Brassica juncea and sunflower. Preliminary results showed soil lead concentrations ranging from 27 to 328 ppm, while plant concentrations were between .0985 and 8 ppm.
Session Name:
Poster Presentation Session #2 - Poster #50
Start Date
4-4-2014 12:15 PM
End Date
4-4-2014 1:00 PM
Location
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Uptake of lead from contaminated soils by various plants
HSB 3rd Floor Student Commons
Heavy metal contamination is active in most mining towns and is even worse with lax environmental regulations. Zambia, a developing southern Africa nation has many active mines and one of the worst polluted places in the world, Kabwe. Kabwe once boasted a productive lead, zinc and cadmium mine which operated for over 90 years causing widespread contamination. The main contaminant is lead, a heavy metal that can cause various diseases and death. In this study, we assessed the level of lead contamination in soils, water and plants in Kabwe. Lead concentrations were quantified using the Aqua Regia method and Atomic Absorption spectrometry. The role of plants in lead removal from soils and human exposure is also investigated. The plants studied were Brassica rapa, tithonia diversifolia, Brassica juncea and sunflower. Preliminary results showed soil lead concentrations ranging from 27 to 328 ppm, while plant concentrations were between .0985 and 8 ppm.