Impact of Cement Production on soil Heavy Metals and Nutrients Uptake of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) Grown within 2km Radius of cement Factory in South West Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of cement production around cement factory at Ewekoro, South West Nigeria within two kilometer radius to the factory on nutrients uptake by Elephant grass. Elephant grass was sampled at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 m. Sampling was carried out in wet and dry seasons for two years (2015 and 2016). Samples were subjected to Laboratory analysis. The parameters determined in the plant samples were Ca, Mg, Na, K, total N, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd. Generally, there was a decrease in all the nutrients uptake by the grass as the distance from the factory increased during the dry season. Mg in the plant tissue initially decreased to a distance of 1500m and was later observed to increase 2000m from the factory. Calcium and Zn concentration was found to be highest in Pennisetum purpureum. Mean composition of micro-nutrients revealed higher concentration of Zinc ranged from 6.31±0.36 to 42.04±2.71 mg/kg and lower concentration from 6.42±0.78 to 10.44±3.39 mg/kg respectively. Results of heavy metal concentration revealed a range from 2.67±0.24 to 6.11±0.77 mg/kg for Lead while the mean values obtained ranged from 0.04±0.01 to 5.5mg/kg. Results obtained from analysis of Pennisetum purpureum showed Calcium to be the most abundant micronutrients with a mean concentration ranged from 2.99% to 5.13% while the mean value recorded at Ewekoro showed a range between 0.19% and 0.36%. Mean Nitrogen content ranged between 1.26 and 2.47% at Ewekoro.