Pages: (96-101 )
Abstract
The determination of lead in soil, leaves, stem and roots of plants located in different parts of an industrial area was successfully carried out. Lead was determined spectophotometrically as dithizone complex. It was compared to a calibration curve prepared in standards similarly from lead. The calibration curve is linear from 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10mls, whose absorbance are 0.01ppm, 0.260ppm, 0.391ppm, 0.515ppm and 0.558ppm. The relative lead concentration of sample A (sand, leaves, stem and roots) are 8.6ppm, 6.00ppm, 8.20ppm and 3.60 respectively, sample B (sand, leaves, stem and roots) are 4.4ppm, 2.2ppm, 3.6ppm and 4.8ppm respectively and sample C (sand, leaves, stem and roots). These results were determined spectophotometrically using AAS220GF at 440nm with 0.01nm accuracy. These results indicate higher levels of lead in soils and plants in the industrial areas. It is suggestive that the heavy metal content of effluents coming directly from the neighboring industries be monitored to ensure that water and plant bodies are bared from high risk of exposure to lead and other heavy metals.
Keywords: Lead, dithizone, spectrophotometry, soil, leaves, water,