Volume 59, Issue 331, July 2023

Evaluation of environmental impact of e-waste dumpsite on heavy metal composition of selected vegetables

Odoh CC¹, Chukwuma EC^2,3, Ajiwe VIE¹

¹Environmental Management Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
²Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
³Research Fellow, Future Africa, University of Pretoria, South Africa

ABSTRACT

Electronic waste (e-waste) has emerged as a global environmental challenge because of its massive production volume, insufficient management policy in many countries and associated health risk. This study evaluated the environmental impact of e-waste dumpsite, considering the heavy metals assimilation through the soil to contaminate vegetables. Samples of 3 different types of edible vegetables (cucumber, water melon and garden egg leaves) were collected from a site located very close to the e-waste dumpsite in three locations (namely: Ochanja, Venn Road and Obosi town). The vegetables were analyzed to ascertain the heavy metal concentration on the raw vegetables in order to determine the bio-concentration or accumulation of the metals. Pb, Ba and Fe concentration was exceeded in water melon and garden leave only, Cr and Al exceeded the maximum limit in all the vegetables, while Ag, Cu and Cd were below the permissible limit. The concentration of most metals exceeded the maximum limit recommended by WHO and FAO (2010); this indicates excessive contamination and health risk associated with consuming vegetables from the e-dumpsites locations. It is suggested that suitable remediation measures should be adopted in the region.

Keywords: Heavy metal, Environmental monitoring, E-waste, Food security

Discovery, 2023, 59, e86d1280

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Published: July 2023