Heavy Metal Content of Pteridium aquilinum from Njere River Bank in Umuakam Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia State

Aims: To assess the heavy metal content of P. aquilinum from Njere river bank in Umuakam Okaiuga Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia state.

Study Design: Plant samples were collected from upstream, midstream and downstream locations of the river bank.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike between June 2009 and December 2009.

Methodology: Composite samples were made from the samples from the various locations. They were air-dried, milled, sieved and used for Atomic absorption Spectroscopy.

Results: Total concentrations of Ni, Cd, Fe, Zn and Pb, soluble metal concentrations of Ni, Cd and Zn and exchangeable metal concentrations of Ni, Cd, Fe, Zn, and Pb were below the W.H.O standard for all the plant samples.

Conclusion: The plant from Njere river bank is relatively safe for animal and human consumption.