Journal of Applied Biosciences (J. Appl. Biosci.) [ISSN 1997 - 5902]
Volume 33: 2037 - 2046. Published September 9, 2010.
Assessment of heavy metals pollution in fungicide treated Cocoa plantations in Ondo state, Nigeria
Aikpokpodion Paul E.
Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria. P.M.B.5244, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Corresponding author e-mail: paulaikpokpodion2@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the impacts of copper-based cocoa fungicides on the environmental quality of cocoa plantations in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Methodology and results: The contents of five elements (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Fe) were assayed in Cocoa plantations across Idanre, Owena and Bamikemo in Ondo state. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation, index, enrichment factor, contamination factor, metal contamination index and pollution load index. The test revealed that all the studied cocoa plantations are highly contaminated with copper while the rest of the heavy metals are most likely to be from natural sources.
Conclusion and application of findings: The pollution load index values confirmed that the quality of the cocoa soils studied is deteriorating and this may have severe impact on soil biodiversity and ground water. Result suggests that alternative means of crop protection using biodegradable fungicides should be identified.
Key words: Cocoa, Nigeria, pollution load index, enrichment factor
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