Abstract

Kofi Sarpong and Emmanuel Dartey

The presence of non-essential hazardous metals lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) deleterious to biota were analyzed in samples (soil and medicinal plants) obtained from Suame Magazine by employing atomic absorption spectrometry. Soil samples were contaminated and their geo-accumulation indices were: Zone 1, Pb (Igeo=1.67, moderate), Cd (Igeo=2.30, moderate to strong) and As (Igeo=2.05, moderate to strong); Zone 2, Pb (Igeo=2.91, moderate to strong), Cd (Igeo=2.33, moderate to strong) and As (Igeo=2.11, moderate to strong) and Zone 3, Pb (Igeo=0.782, uncontaminated to moderate), Cd (Igeo=1.92, moderate) and As (Igeo=2.01, moderate to strong). Soil Pb, Cd and As levels ranged (2.02 - 480.05), (0.16- 1.51) and (0.05-0.85) µgg1 respectively. The range of toxic metal concentrations recorded for medicinal plants (roots and barks) were: Pb (2.04 - 93.48), Cd (0.16 -3.76) and As (0.01 - 1.12) µgg-1 . Medicinal plants tendency to accumulate and translocate Pb, Cd and As were estimated by employing Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factor (TF) and Bioaccumulation Coefficient (BAC). Range of values recorded for BAC, TF and BCF respectively were: Pb (0.02 - 13.33), Cd (0.80 - 17.26) and As (0.03 - 19.60); Pb (0.15 - 8.72), Cd (0.23 - 7) and As (0.02-19.60); and Pb (0.02-46.28), Cd (0.39-14.25) and As (0.03-20.60). The hazardous metal content in some medicinal plants from the zones studied were found to be above WHO MPL, thus, regular screening is a must to check the levels of these pollutants in the plant parts and extracts before consumption.