Abstract

In the present study, the levels of some essential micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were determined in the soils and growing plants at the base and 25 m away from refuse dumpsites located in Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. The soils and plants obtained were processed and analysed for these metals using the Bulk scientific GVP 210 atomic absorption spectropho-tometer. The results showed that the levels of Fe in soils at the base of the dumpsites were higher at the various locations investigated, the highest being 745.00 mg/kg at Oja oshodi, while the highest level at 25 m away from the sites was 441.00 mg/kg detected also at Oja Oshodi. This trend was followed by Mn with the highest amount (354.00 mg/kg) determine at the base of the refuse dumpsite at Idanre and Igbatoro roads respectively. Similarly, Zn and Cu had their highest levels (198.00 mg/kg Zn, 29.00 mg/kg Cu) in soils obtained from the base at the Oke-Ijebu and Oja Oshodi dumpsites respectively. The concentration of these metals in the roots tissue indicated that Fe was highest in the roots of Amaranthus cruentus (142.50 mg/kg dry matter). The level of Fe obtained was higher than the amount determined in the plants at 25m away from the dumpsites. There were equally various distributions of Mn Zn and Cu in the different tissues of the plants around the dumpsites. These study also revealed that the accumulation or uptake of these micronutrients depended not only on the availability of these metals as enriched at the base of the dumpsites but also on other factors which were not considered in the study.

Key words: Micronutrients, dumpsite, uptake and plant tissue.