Assessment of the Level of Heavy Metals in Soil and Vegetables in Irrigation Farming Sites in Newbussa and Its Environment, Niger State, Nigeria

Heavy metal contamination of vegetables is a great public health concern. Hence this study investigates concentration of heavy metals in leafy vegetables and soil from irrigation farming sites in New-Bussa and its environment, Niger State Nigeria. Concentrations of the following heavy metals; Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu and Cd were determine in Amaranthus cruentus, Corchorus aestuans and soil from the study area. Freshly harvested Amaranthus cruentus and Corchorus aestuans were collected from three farmlands. Analysis for heavy metals was carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean heavy metals concentrations in soil samples collected at different farmlands in the study area showed the presence of all heavy metals tested (Pb, Cr, Zn, Cu and Cd) at varying concentrations (p