**6. Reports of research works done on heavy metals analysis in Nigerian environment**

### **6.1 Blood**

38 Macro to Nano Spectroscopy

Warri, Nigeria). Generally, excessive levels of the parameters of pollution above W.H.O. standards recommended for surface waters were observed (Emoyan et al., 2005). The possible sources of these parameters of pollution are diverse: originating from anthropogenic/ natural and point sources. Coal contains diverse amounts of trace elements in their overall composition. Certain trace elements such as lead, cadmium and chromium if present in high amount could preclude the coal from being used in environmentally sensitive situations. Ekulu River is the largest body of inland waters in Enugu Urban, which is of considerable importance industrially, culturally, and in agriculture. Ekulu coal mine is located by the bank of the Ekulu river. The coal mine station discharges its effluents directly into River Ekulu. Enugu coal mine occurs in the area where River Ekulu takes its source. Metal concentrations were generally higher in the coal samples than in the sediments. The metals (manganese, chromium, cadmium, nickel, and lead) analysed for were present throughout the period monitored in both the sediment and coal samples with some variations. Mean concentrations of Mn (0.256-0.389mg/kg) and Cr (0.214-0.267mg/kg) were high relative to concentrations of Cd (0.036-0.043mg/kg), Ni (0.064-0.067mg/kg) and Pb (0.013-0.017mg/kg). The presence of toxic metals in the area is established, calling for the assessment of their impact on the health of human and aquatic lives around the area (Adaikpoh et al., 2005). Other industrial effluents also contribute to the level of the heavy

metals such as lead in the environment as reported by (Ayodele et al., 1996).

Rice 0.006 0.070 0.060 0.010 Cereal—other 0.002 0.023 0.075 0.016 Roots and tubers 0.022 0.015 0.103 0.025 Soya bean — 0.041 0.200 0.021 Pulses—other 0.004 0.019 0.140 0.019 Sugars and honey — 0.003 0.015 0.004 Groundnuts—shelled — — 0.370 0.050 Oilseeds—other — 0.021 0.100 0.119 Vegetable oils—other 0.002 0.001 0.127 0.002 Stimulants—other — 0.017 0.160 0.006 Spices — 0.005 0.191 0.055 Leafy vegetables 0.054 0.025 0.155 0.034 Vegetables—other 0.024 0.020 0.343 0.013 Fish and other seafood —other 0.034 0.035 0.207 0.014 Eggs 0.001 0.003 0.500 0.003 Fruits 0.009 0.006 0.067 0.004 Milks 0.001 0.004 0.006 0.001 Milk products 0.004 0.004 0.375 0.005 Poultry meat 0.013 0.005 0.110 0.002 Meats—other 0.027 0.006 0.083 0.006

**China** 

**Nigeria European** 

**Countries** 

**Commodity Greece Japan and** 

Table 1. Average concentrations of cadmium in foods (mg/kg)

Source: Moriyama et al., (2002)
