ABSTRACT
Cadmium and zinc from anthropogenic sources in Lake Nakuru were investigated. High metal levels (mg/kg) in soils (Cd < or = 16.3 and Zn < or = 280) and Acacia xanthophloea (Cd < or = 32 and Zn < or = 310) were observed at polluted sites. Significant variations in metal values were evaluated using ANOVA (F test) and student's t test at p < 0.05 and metal correlations studied. High levels of metals in soils and unhealthy/dying Acacia were obtained at polluted sites. Significant positive correlation was obtained between Cd and Zn in soils and plants. Acacia sp are effective biomonitor of environmental quality in areas subjected to pollution.
Subject(s)
Acacia/chemistry , Cadmium/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Zinc/analysis , Kenya , Plant Bark/chemistry , Plant Leaves/chemistryABSTRACT
Copper, zinc, lead and cadmium heavy metals were determined in sediments from the Kenyan Coast. Sediment samples were obtained from Makupa and Port Reitz Creek systems. The samples were digested using concentrated hydrochloric acid and the metal content determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The method of analysis was evaluated using Soil-7 certified reference material (International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA). For comparison, sediment samples were also analysed using Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique and results obtained show good agreement. Higher metal concentrations were obtained in Makupa Creek sediments (Cu, 102+/-46.0; Zn, 1017+/-840; Pb, 103+/-35.8; Cd, 51.0+/-14.3) as compared to Port Reitz Creek system (Cu, 21.6+/-7.1; Zn, 57.1+/-17.9; Pb, 26.2+/-11.6; Cd, 1.38+/-0.7). There was significant (p=0.05) variation in the elemental concentrations between and within sites. Industrial activities and a nearby municipal dumpsite were associated with the higher elemental concentrations particularly in Makupa Creek.
