Lead contamination of soils and vegetation in the vicinity of a lead smelter in Nigeria

In a study to investigate the possible contamination of soil, vegetation and surface water from a lead smelter, samples of soil, edible vegetables and water were collected at varying distances from a smelting plant in the tin ore region of Nigeria. The total and extractable lead contents of the soils were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry and XRF spectrometry. Preliminary analytical results indicated significantly elevated concentrations of Pb, above the World Health Organization (WHO) critical toxic levels, in soil and vegetation around the smelting plant. The values were also above the background levels obtained from other urban and roadside sites. These results indicate the need for initiating better waste management practices in this smelting plant as a means of containing the obvious high levels of contamination of crops and soils around the plant.