The study of potential toxic metals in dumpsites using surface soils and Talinum triangulae (water leaves) as environmental pollution indicators

This study aimed at investigating the levels of potential toxic metals in dumpsites using surface soils and Talinum triangulae (water leaves) as environmental pollution indicators. The soil and Talinum triangulae samples collected from dumpsites in Ile Ife, Nigeria were analyzed to ascertain the pollution level of the dumpsite. The elemental composition of the two set of samples were determined using Energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. Twelve elements (Ca, Fe, K, As, Zn, Sr, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ti, Cr and Zr) were detected in the soils, while Ca, Ni, Sr, K, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ti, Cr and Zr were identified in the Talinum triangulae. The elemental concentration, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), concentration ratio (CR) and correlation among the plant/soil samples, and elements were determined using a combination of cross plot and cluster analyses. The result of CR showed that the plant has highest uptake ability for Cr and least for Sr. T-test results indicated no significant difference in concentrations of all the metals in the elemental concentrations of the dumpsite soil/plant samples based on their T-test values. Cross plot analysis result (R2=0.791) of the soil/plant samples suggested inter-element correlations between them. Elemental clustering analysis result showed five major groups which were also moderately correlated with one another, indicating similar chemical affinity or same source or both. The study concluded that the dumpsites were polluted with respect to most of the analyzed metals based on their concentrations. It is recommended that dumping of waste on an open space and citing of dumpsites at backyards should also be greatly discouraged due to its ill-health effects.