Open Agriculture.

2018; 3: 414–426

Research Article

A.O. Adekiya*, A.P. Oloruntoba, S.O. Ojeniyi, B.S. Ewulo

Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato

grown on contaminated soils
https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2018-0046
2004), however, there are also heavy metals like Arsenic
received May 23, 2018; accepted August 8, 2018
(As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg) and
Abstract: The study investigated the level of heavy metal Lead (Pb) which are non-essential for plant growth and
contamination in plants {maize (Zea mays) and tomato are toxic even at low concentrations (Alloway 1990;
(Solanum lycopersicum L.)} from thirty soil samples of three Pulford 2007).
locations (Epe, Igun and Ijana) in the Ilesha gold mining Soil is a vital component of terrestrial ecosystems,
area, Osun State, Nigeria. Total concentrations of As, Cd, maintaining essential ecological functions such as
Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined using atomic primary production and decomposition. Unfortunately,
absorption spectrophotometry. Spatial variations were it is sensitive to human activities and difficult to reclaim
observed for all metals across the locations which was when degraded (Bridges and Oldeman 1999; DeJong et
adduced to pH and the clay contents of the soils of each al. 2011; Kapusta and Sobczyk 2015). The environment,
location. The results showed that heavy metals are more including air, water and soil, plays a major role in the
concentrated in the areas that are closer to the mining health of individuals and communities, through which
site and the concentrations in soil and plants (maize and exposure to chemical, biological and physical agents may
tomato) decreased with increasing perpendicular distance occur (Friis 2007). The heavy metals in soil may have a
from the mining site, indicating that the gold mine was negative effect on the environment, since heavy metals
the main sources of pollution. The mean concentrations of may not be biodegradable. Anthropogenic activities such
heavy metals in plants (tomato and maize) samples were as mining and smelting of metal ores have increased the
considered to be contaminated as As, Cd and Pb respectively occurrence of heavy metal contamination at the earth’s
ranged from 0.6 – 2.04 mg kg-1, 0.8 – 5.2 mg kg-1, 0.8 – 3.04 surface.
mg kg-1 for tomato and respectively 0.60 – 2.00 mg kg-1, 1.50 A major industrial activity in Ilesha area, Southwest
– 4.60 mg kg-1 and 0.90 – 2.50 mg kg-1 for maize. These levels Nigeria, is gold mining due to its large deposit of this
exceeded the maximum permissible limits set by FAO/WHO precious metal. However, there has been an increase in
for vegetables. In conclusion, monitoring of crops for toxic illegal mining operations. These activities could have
heavy metals is essential for food safety in Nigeria. resulted to heavy metal contamination of water ways,
leading to subsequent deposition into nearby soils and
Keywords: Maize, tomato, As, Cd, Pb, heavy metal, soil contamination of food crops. There is therefore a need
for continuous monitoring of the level of heavy metals
in the area, in order to keep a check on the environment,

1 Introduction especially in agricultural soil and food crops. The

environmental impacts of gold mining are particularly
severe because of the chemical processes that are often
Heavy metals are metallic chemical elements which are
used to extract gold. Where local communities used
natural constituents of the earth’s crust. A number of
the Mercury amalgamation method in extracting gold,
these are biologically essential (Omar and Al-Khashaman
the process may particularly degrade and pollute the
environment, infringe the principle of sustainable
*Corresponding author: A.O. Adekiya, College of Agricultural development, consumes large water, and create a morass
Sciences, Landmark University, PMB 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, of hazardous waste (Rasheed and Amadu 2014).
Nigeria, E-mail: adekiya2009@yahoo.com Without proper management, abandoned mines and
A.P. Oloruntoba, S.O. Ojeniyi, B.S. Ewulo, Department of Crop, Soil
tailings are a source of heavy metals, which are washed out
and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704,
Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria by precipitation and can contaminate all environmental

Open Access. © 2018 A.O. Adekiya, et al., published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 License.
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 415

components (Liakopoulos et al. 2010; Li et al. 2014). The Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Nickel, Lead and
extent and degree of heavy metal contamination vary Zinc.
depending upon the mineralogical and geochemical
characteristics of both ore and host rocks (Ivazzo et al.
2012). The amount of pollutants, which are bioavailable in
2 Materials and methods
soils, usually represents only a small fraction of the total
The studies were conducted at Epe (latitude 7° 13N,
content. The level of bioavailability greatly influences
longitude 5° 12’E), Igun (latitude 7° 35N, longitude 4° 38’
plant growth and metal uptake. The presence of heavy
E) and Ijana (latitude 7° 33’N, longitude 4° 40’E) in Osun
metals in the soil environment significantly influences
State, southwest Nigeria. In the sites, there are two rainy
biological, chemical, and physical soil properties, which
seasons, one from March to July and the other from mid-
results in decreased soil fertility and also ultimately crop
August to November, with temperatures ranging from 26
contamination (Demková 2017).
to 29°C. The average rainfall varied from 1400 to1500 mm
The excessive content of heavy metals in vegetables is
while relative humidity over the area varies from 60 to
associated with a number of diseases particularly kidney,
80%. A total of thirty (30) soil samples were collected from
nervous, bone and cardiovascular diseases (WHO 1992;
0 to 30 cm depth from ten points at every 100 m interval,
1995). There have been reports of bone diseases caused by
up to 900 m, from gold mining sites for the three sampling
cadmium toxicity as a result of feeding on rice irrigated
locations (Epe, Igun and Ijana). Control samples were also
with water which had been contaminated from mining and
included.
smelting (Graham and Farmer 2007). High concentrations
Soil samples were collected using a soil auger, mixed
of heavy metals, such as Pb, Cd and Cu, in vegetables are
thoroughly and sieved with a 2 mm sieve to remove stones
associated with upper gastrointestinal cancer (Turkdogan
and debris. Ten kilograms of the sieved soil were weighed
et al. 2002).
into a poly bags (30 x 17 cm), which were perforated at
Maize (Zea mays) is one of Africa’s dominant food
the bottom to allow for air and water movement. The poly
crops and an important stable food for more than 1.2
bags were placed under a shed. Poly bags, containing
billion people in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America
soil samples, were labelled according to their location
(IITA 2012). It is consumed as a vegetable, although it is
and distance from mining sites. The treatments were
a grain crop. The grains are rich in vitamin A, C and E,
arranged in a Completely Randomised Design replicated
carbohydrate and essential minerals, and contain 9%
three times. Watering of the bags was done for three days
protein. They are also rich in dietary fibre and calories
before sowing of maize and tomato seeds. Maize and
which are a good source of energy (IITA, 2012). Tomato
tomato seeds were sown in separate bags. Five seeds were
(Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop.
sown for each crop and later thinned to one plant per
It is a source of vitamin C (Ilodibia and Chukwuma 2015).
bag, six days after sowing. Watering was done regularly
Tomato seed contain 8.5% moisture, 25% crude protein,
in the morning every day to maintain water content at
20.0% fat, 3.1% ash, 35.1% total dietary fiber, 0.12% Ca,
approximately field capacity throughout the duration of
0.58% P, and, 204 kcal/kg of total metabolizable energy
the experiment. Weeding was done manually by hand
(Persia et al. 2003). However, crops will take up nutrient
picking emerged weeds from each bag.
and contaminants from the soil in which they grow
Soil samples for necessary laboratory analysis from
(Nwachukwu and Pulford 2008), and the content of edible
each location were also bulked together to form a composite
portions of crops have been known to directly reflect soil
soil sample, air-dried, ground using a mortar and pestle
contents (Igwe and Nwachukwu 2016).
and sieved through a 2 mm mesh to remove stones and
In many Sub-Sahara Africa countries, science based
other plant materials. Particle size was analysed by the
evidence is needed to influence policies that contribute
hydrometer method (Sheldrick and HangWang 1993). pH
to reducing adverse effects of mining activities on the
in 1:2 soil water medium was also determined.
ecosystem and prompted safe mining among stakeholders
Plants (maize and tomato) were uprooted at five weeks
including local communities. The aim of this work was
after sowing, washed with fresh running water to remove
to determine concentrations of some heavy metals
dirt, dust, and other contaminating agents. Furthermore,
accumulated in crops at different gold mining sites of
the plant samples were washed with deionized water for
Ilesha area (Epe, Igun and Ijana), Osun State southwest
final cleaning. Samples were then dried at 70°C for 3 days
Nigeria and to compare heavy metal concentrations with
(Ma et al. 2001) and latter ground in a mill prior to further
regulatory standard values permitted by the International
analysis and metal determination. About 0.5 g of both soil
standard. The heavy metals considered are Arsenic,
416 A.O. Adekiya, et al.

and plant samples were digested with 0.5 mL H2SO4, 0.6 and clay. The pH of the Epe, Igun and Ijana sites were,
mL concentrated HNO3 and 1.8 mL concentrated HCl for 4.8, 5.9 and 4.7, respectively. The mean concentration of
2 h at 95°C. Samples were cooled then diluted to 10 mL heavy metals in the control soil with maize and tomato
with deionized water; these were then analyzed for heavy respectively are As (0.70 mg kg-1; 0.62 mg kg-1), Cd (0.10 mg
metals (As, Cg, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) using Perkin- kg-1; 0.09 mg kg-1), Co (2.78 mg kg-1; 5.00 mg kg-1), Cr (0.82 mg
Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, model 303. kg-1; 0.40 mg kg-1), Cu (8.20 mg kg-1; 4.60 mg kg-1), Ni (6.00
mg kg-1; 6.20 mg kg-1), Pb (0.40 mg kg-1; 0.24 mg kg-1) and Zn
(12.00 mg kg-1; 5.00 mg kg-1)
2.1 Statistical analysis

Data collected from each experiment were subjected 3.1 Cadmium

to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS 17.0. The
standard error of difference between means (s. e. d.) Cd in the soil was within the range of 0.90 – 4.20 mg
was used to compare the treatment means. Mention of kg-1. This value was higher than the recommended value
statistical significance refers to p ≤ 0.05 unless otherwise of 3 mg kg-1 by WHO/FAO and European Union (Table
stated. 1). Cadmium concentrations was a bit high in plants
at Epe and Ijana, with levels ranging from 0.8 – 5.2 mg
Ethical approval: The conducted research is not related to kg-1 for tomato (Figures 1 and 2). For the control soil, Cd
either human or animal use. concentrations in the maize and tomato were 0.10 and 0.09
mg kg-1 respectively. For all locations, Cd concentrations

3 Results in the maize and tomato reduced from the mine sites (0 m)
to 900 m away (Figure 5). At Epe, Igu and Ijana for maize,
the correlation coefficient between Cd concentration and
The surface soil at the Epe site was sandy loam, having
distance from mining site were, -0.975, -0.976 and -0.947
443, 257 and 300 g kg-1 sand, silt and clay, respectively,
respectively while the corresponding values for tomato
while the Igun site had 536, 207 and 257 g kg-1 respectively,
were -0.937, -0.983 and -0.981 respectively.
and the Ijana site had 443, 257 and 300 g kg-1 of sand, silt

Figure 1: Concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni & Pb) in maize at Epe, Igun and Ijana sites
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 417

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of heavy metals in Epe, Igun and Ijana soil samples and the international maximum allowable standards

Heavy metal (mg kg-1 ) As Cd Co Cr Cu Ni Pb Zn

Mean 3.87 3.00 3.83 4.20 10.86 3.96 3.73 9.80

SE± 1.77 1.05 1.48 1.59 6.01 1.54 1.73 1.161
Min 1.00 0.90 1.00 1.10 0.10 1.10 0.70 7.70
Max 7.10 4.20 6.00 6.40 20.90 6.40 6.70 11.70
European Uniona 3 150 140 75 300
WHO/FAOb 20 3 50 100 100 50 100 300
Sources: = Adah, C.A et al. (2013); = Kabata-Pendias, A. and Mukherjee, A.B. (2007).
a b

Figure 2: Concentrations of heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni & Pb) in tomato at Epe, Igun and Ijana sites

Figure 3: Concentrations of Cu & Zn in maize at Epe, Igun and Ijana sites

418 A.O. Adekiya, et al.

Figure 4: Concentrations of Cu & Zn in tomato at Epe, Igun and Ijana sites

Figure 5: Concentrations of Cd in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C =
200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site

3.2 Lead tomato (2.9 and 4.4 mg kg-1) respectively (Figures1 and
2). For the control soil, Pb concentration in the maize
For this study, Pb in the soil was within the range of 0.70 and tomato were 0.04 and 0.02 mg kg-1 respectively. For
– 6.70 mg kg-1 which was far below the permissible level of all locations, Pb concentrations in the maize and tomato
100 mg kg-1 recommended by WHO/FAO (Table 1). However, reduces from the mining sites (0 m) to 900 m away (Figure
Igun had the highest concentration of Pb in maize and 6). For the maize at Epe, Igu and Ijana, the correlation
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 419

coefficient between Pb concentration and distance from high, the order of accumulation in maize and tomato was
mining site were, -0.741, -0.898 and -0.930 respectively Igun > Epe = Ijana.
while the corresponding values for tomato were -0.910,
-0.949 and -0.916 respectively. The average concentrations
of Pb ranged between 0.90 – 2.50 for maize and 0.80 – 3.3 Zinc
3.04 mg kg-1 for tomato (Table 4). In all tested leaf samples,
the concentrations of Pb were above permissible limit set Zn in soil was within the range of 7.1 – 11.7 mg kg-1 which
by International regulatory bodies. Lead levels in plants was lower than 300 mg kg-1 recommenced for soil by the
across the regions of Epe, Igun and Ijana were generally FAO (Table 1). Zn concentrations in maize and tomato

Figure 6: Concentrations of Pb in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C =
200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site

Figure 7: Concentrations of Zn in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C =
200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site
420 A.O. Adekiya, et al.

Figure 8: Concentrations of Cu in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C
= 200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site

Figure 9: Concentrations of Cr in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C =
200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 421

were 12.00 and 5.00 mg kg-1 respectively for the control 3.5 Chromium
soil. Zn concentrations in maize and tomato reduces from
mining sites (0 m) to 900 m away (Figure 7). For maize at Cr in soil was within the range of 1.10 – 6.4 mg kg-1. This
Epe, Igu and Ijana, the correlation coefficient between Zn value was lower than the recommended value of 100 mg
concentration and distance from mining site were, -0.908, kg-1 and 150 mg kg-1 by WHO/FAO and European Union,
-0.907 and -0.989 respectively, while the corresponding respectively (Table 1). For both maize and tomato crops,
values for tomato were -0.950, -0.938 and -0.872 respectively. the concentration of Cr was slightly higher in the Epe and
The Zn levels in maize and tomato ranged between 2.1 to Ijana sites compared with the Igun site (Figures 1 and 2).
9.0 mg kg-1. Zn concentrations in maize samples at Epe and For all locations, Cr concentrations in maize and tomato
Ijana were only slightly higher than levels found at Igun reduced from the mine sites (0 m) to 900 m away (Figure
(Figure 3). The average Zn concentrations of maize across 9). The permissible limit of chromium for plant is 2.30mg
the three regions ranged between 3.3 and 7.8 mg kg-1. kg-1, according to WHO. The concentration of Cr in the
maize and tomato samples ranged 0.40 – 1.80 mg kg-1 and
0.60 – 1.30 mg kg-1 (Table 2), respectively.
3.4 Copper

Cu concentration in maize and tomato were 8.20 and 4.60 3.6 Nickel
mg kg-1 respectively. Cu in the soil was within the range
of 0.10 – 20.9 mg kg-1 (Table 1). Copper concentrations in For this study, Ni in the soil was within the range of 1.10 – 6.4
maize and tomato ranged from 8.9 to 34.4 mg kg-1 (Figure mg kg-1. This value was lower than the recommended value
8). Tomato accumulated a greater concentration of Cu of 50 mg kg-1 and 75 mg kg-1 by WHO/FAO and the European
(26.94 mg kg-1) at Epe and Ijanu (25.88 mg kg-1) mining Union respectively (Table 1). The permissible limit for Ni
sites compared with Igun (16.88 mg kg-1) whereas the in plants is 67 mg kg-1. In the plant samples, which were
order was Epe > Igun = Ijana for maize (Figures 3 and 4). analysed in this work, there was no concentration of Ni
Cu concentrations in maize and tomato reduced from the higher than this permissible limit (Table 2). Values ranged
mining sites (0 m) to 900 m away (Figure 8). For maize between 1.3 to 6.2 mg kg-1. For both maize and tomato
at Epe, Igu and Ijana, the correlation coefficient between crops, Ijana had the highest value of Ni (3.74 mg kg-1 for
Cu concentration and distance from the mining sites maize and 4.23mg kg-1 for tomato) compared with the Epe
were, -0.956, -0.951 and -0.886 respectively while the and Igun sites (Figures 1 and 2). Across all locations, Ni
corresponding values for tomato were -0.980, -0.957 and concentrations in the maize and tomato plants generally
-0.949 respectively. reduced with increasing distance from the gold mining

Table 2: Comparison of mean concentration of heavy metals (mg kg-1) in Maize and tomato with maximum allowable limits of heavy metal in
vegetables

Heavy metal (mg kg-1) As Cd Co Cr Cu Ni Pb Zn

Maize
Mean 1.2 3.03 1.46 1.00 18.12 3.80 1.63 5.67
SE± 0.42 0.89 0.66 0.41 7.92 1.33 0.47 1.45
Min 0.60 1.50 0.70 0.40 8.10 1.40 0.90 3.01
Max 2.00 4.60 2.78 1.80 33.80 6.00 2.50 8.00
Tomato
Mean 1.21 2.53 3.20 1.23 20.37 3.43 1.85 5.37
SE± 0.43 1.35 1.17 0.54 7.47 1.45 0.65 2.00
Min 0.60 0.80 1.00 0.60 8.90 1.30 0.80 2.10
Max 2.04 5.20 5.00 1.30 34.40 6.20 3.04 9.00
WHO/FAOa 0.43 0.20 50.00 2.30 73.00 67.00 0.30 100.00
Source a = Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO) Food Additives and Contaminants. 2001. pp. 1–289.
422 A.O. Adekiya, et al.

Figure 10: Concentrations of Ni in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C
= 200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site

Figure 11: Concentrations of As in maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C
= 200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 423

Figure 12: Concentrations of Coin maize and tomato crops at Epe, Igun & Ijana (0 – 900 m) sites. A = 0 m from site; B = 100 m from site; C
= 200 m from site; D = 300 m from site; E = 400 m from site; F = 500 m from site; G = 600 m from site; H = 700 m from site; I = 800 m from
site; J = 900 m from site7

sites (Figure 10) due to contamination of soil by mining mg kg-1 by WHO/FAO (Table 1). The concentration of Co in
activities. To keep crops safe for public health, agricultural maize and tomato at the three sites ranged from 0.70 to
land should be devoid of metal extractions. 2.78 mg kg-1 for maize and 1.00 – 5.00 mg kg-1 for tomato
which was well below the permissible limit (50 mg kg-1)
for vegetables recommended by WHO (Table 4).The
3.7 Arsenic permissible limit of Co is 25 mg kg-1 as recommended by
Commission of European Union. The Igun and Ijana sites
As in the soil was within the range of 1.10 – 7.1 mg kg-1. This has higher values of Co for tomato compared with Epe site
value was lower than the recommended value of 20 mg (Figure 1 and 2). Expectedly, in all sites, Co concentrations
kg-1 by WHO/FAO (Table 1). The concentration of arsenate in the maize and tomato plants reduced from the mine
in maize and tomato at the three sites ranged from 0.6 to sites (0 m) to 900 m away (Figure 12).
2.00 mg kg-1 for maize and 0.6 to 2.04 mg kg-1 for tomato,
which was well above the permissible limit for vegetables
recommended by WHO (Table 2). Arsenic is a known
4 Discussion
carcinogen, and it also enters the environment through
Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal. It is extremely
mining industry. As concentrations in maize and tomato
toxic even at low concentration. It causes learning
generally reduced with increasing distance from gold
disabilities and hyperactivity in children (Hunt 2003;
mining sites (Figure 11) with Epe site having the highest
Shah et al. 2013). Also Pb is a non-essential heavy
concentrations of As in both maize and tomato crops
metal. Pb causes oxidative stress and contributes to the
(Figures 1 and 2).
pathogenesis of lead poisoning by disrupting the delicate
antioxidant balance of mammalian cells. High levels of
Pb in the body causes anemia, colic, headache, brain
3.8 Cobalt
damage, and central nervous system disorders (Rehman
et al. 2013; Shah et al. 2013). Zinc is very important in
Co in the soil was within the range of 1.0 – 6.0 mg kg-1.
catalytic functions, DNA synthesis, normal growth, brain
This value was lower than the recommended value of 60
development, bone formation, and wound healing (Shah
424 A.O. Adekiya, et al.

et al. 2013). At high levels, Zinc is a neurotoxin (Adelekan crops may be possible because of surface roughness
and Abegunde 2011). Copper is an essential substance to provided by tomato crop with hairy leaf surfaces. Also,
human life. High concentration of Cu may cause metal the maize crop leaf has a large surface area, although the
fumes fever, hair and skin discolorations, dermatitis, surface is smooth. These qualities would have allowed
respiratory tract diseases, and some other fatal diseases easy permeability of the heavy metals via their leaves.
in human beings (Khan et al. 2008). At high concentration However, tomato crop has slightly higher concentrations
Cr is toxic and carcinogenic (Duruibe 2007). Exposure to of Pb and As compared with maize (Figures 5 and 11). This
nickel toxicity produces a specific form of dermatitis and could be due to slightly higher permeability of tomato
may include the lining and nasal cavity cancer (Ezeh and leaves compared with maize leaves, which have smooth
Chukwu, 2011). surfaces. Dust particles containing metals deposited on
The permissible limit of Cd in plants, as recommended such smooth leaves adhere weakly and can be removed
by WHO for leafy vegetables and fresh herbs, is 0.2 mg kg-1 easily by rain; as a result, chances of metal ion absorption
and for stem and herbs 0.1 mg kg-1. Cd levels in the present by it are meager.
study were higher than those reported by Ekwue et al. Fashola et al. (2016) have reported that tailings are
(2012), which ranged from 0.1 to 0.49 mg kg-1. The high the major wastes produced from gold extraction and
values of Cd in maize and tomato, in this study, could be they contain high amounts of heavy metals, which may
due to its high value in the contaminated soil (Table 1). leach out in an uncontrolled manner into surrounding
The metal was present in the soil and was absorbed by the environments on exposure to water or through dispersal
maize and the tomato plants. by wind. It has also been reported that plants absorb trace
Heavy metal uptake by plants can be affected by elements via roots from soils or via above-ground parts
several factors including metal concentrations in soils, from aerial deposition (Bahemuka and Mubofu 1999;
soil pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, Kabata-Pendias 2010). Voutsa et al. (1996) reported high
types and varieties of plants, and plant age (Jung 2008). It accumulation of Pb, Cr, and Cd in leafy vegetables due to
is generally accepted that the metal concentration in soil is atmospheric deposition in the form of metal containing
the dominant factor (Adriano 1986; Jung 2008). Therefore, aerosols. The concentrations of heavy metals in tree
concentrations of heavy metals in plants is often positively bark originates mainly from atmospheric particulates,
correlated with the abundance of these elements in soils. deposited on the trunks of tree, in bark pockets. These
Cd occurs in gold bearing ore bodies as an isometric trace have been reported by (Sawidis et al. 2012) and Bellis et
element in sphalerite and its concentration depends on the al. (2003).
concentration of the sphalerite in the ore body. Cadmium It was reported that, for all locations, heavy metal
is of serious concern because of its accumulation in the (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) concentrations in maize
food chain, drinking water and soil (Fashola et al. 2016) and tomato reduced from mining sites - (0 m) to 900 m
Pb in soil was within the range of 0.70 – 6.70 mg away, showing that the heavy metals should have caused
kg-1 which was far below the permissible level of 100 mg contamination of maize and tomato up to 900 m away
kg-1 recommended by WHO/FAO. However, Pb ranged from mining site. It also indicated that the gold mine was
between 0.90 – 2.50 mg kg-1 for maize and 0.80 – 3.04 mg the main sources of pollution. Soils totaling 4,000 km2 or
kg-1 for tomato which was higher than the permissible more have also been contaminated by heavy metals in
limit of 0.30 mg kg-1 for vegetables, also As in the soil was the vicinity of mining and smelting areas in England and
below the level permitted by WHO/FAO, whereas the leaf Wales (Thornton 1977).
concentrations were above the permissible levels (Table Results also showed that there were higher
2). The elevated concentrations of Pb and As in maize and concentrations of heavy metals in maize and tomato at
tomato plants may be as a result of aerial deposits of the Epe and Ijana compared with Igun. This result can be
heavy metals originating from the nearby gold mining related to the textural classes and the pH of the three
sites. locations. The higher clay contents of Epe and Ijana sites
Plant roots can uptake only very small amounts of Pb could have formed strong adsorptive sites for the metals.
(Celik et al. 2005). It has been described that Pb cannot be Clays often represent a short-term sink of heavy metals
absorbed from the soil by the leaves since Pb is a heavy in soils, because of their adsorptive properties. Soil has
metal with little plant motion (Gunthardt-Goerg 2007). the ability to immobilise introduced chemicals like heavy
It can be concluded that measured Pb in the leaf of the metal ions. The immobilisation could be due to sorption
crop is mainly airborne Pb. The deposition of these heavy properties which is determined by soil properties of the
metals (Pb and As) on the leaves of maize and tomato soil such as amount of clay (Stevenson 1992). The pH
 Heavy metal composition of maize and tomato grown on contaminated soils 425

recorded for all soil samples at the sites were acidic. This mining areas and in plants to prevent the process of heavy
can be attributed to leaching of base elements such as Ca metals contamination through the human food chain as
and Mg due to high rainfall of the rainforest environment. well as to prevent damage to human health.
However, the Igun site has a higher pH value compared
with Epe and Ijana. The mobility of trace elements in Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of
soil is highly favoured by acidic conditions of soil, the interest.
trace element cations becoming more soluble and mobile
when soil become more acidic (Peralta-Videa et al 2002).
Similar reports of soil becoming acidic around a mining
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