COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BIOMASS POLLUTION ALONG MAJOR HIGHWAYS IN OWERRI METROPOLIS

Abstract

Heavy metals are associated with pollution and toxicity. Most heavy metals are generated from vehicular emissions, industrial effluents, biomass burning etc. Since cassava is a staple food eaten in Owerri and beyond, its biomass was used for analysis. Cassava leaves collected from the four major highways in Owerri were analysed for the presence of heavy metals using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Levels of nitrates and sulphates were also analysed using the UV-visible spectrophotometer. The following metals were observed to be present at significant quantities with their mean values of 0.0035mg/L lead, 0.0059mg/L cadmium, 0.1970mg/L Zinc were within standard limits, while 0.00522mg/L Manganese, 59.0mg/L N03- and 547.5mg/L S042- were above standard limits. The results obtained suggested that remediation measures should be taken.

Author

Egereonu, U. U., Onyeabor C. V., Akpaka, A .C. and Egereonu, A. C. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri