Abstract
Environmental damage caused by increased agricultural activities and processes is a problem of global concern. Oil palm is widely grown in Nigeria for food but its cultivation and processing lead to the accumulation of various oil palm waste (oil palm shell, oil palm empty fruit bunch, pressed fruit fiber, oil palm trunks, oil palm leaves, and palm oil mill effluent). This important source of livelihood for the Nigerian people is presently posing as an environmental nuisance, destroying agricultural land and having effect on soil and climate owing to poor waste management practices. This study investigates the levels of heavy metals in soil samples and in two commonly consumed vegetables (Amarantus hybridus and Talinum triangulate). Waste from four different mills was investigated for poly aromatic hydrocarbon concentration by gas chromatographic methods. Phytochemical, proximate, and elemental analysis were also carried out in the various oil palm mill waste samples to authenticate the percentage concentrations of various metabolites. Results from this study show that heavy metals present in soil samples assessed were 0.01, 0.54, 0.05, 0.01, 2.1, 0.10, and 11.5 for Pd, Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, Ni, Fe respectively. The vegetables were found to bioaccumulate most of the heavy metals although at less than the internationally acclaimed standard limits. Results also show that the waste component contained nutrients and various phytochemicals. There was a clear indication that these waste products are rich sources of biomaterials and their transition into other value-added materials will reduce greenhouse formation and regulate environmental pollution while aiding bio-economy.
Presenters
Georgina Omonegho ErifetaAssociate Professor/ Sub Dean, School of Basic Medical Sciences. Department of Biochemistry, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo, Nigeria
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
AGRICULTURE, OIL PALM WASTE, ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE, VALUE ADDITION, BIO-ECONOMY
