Effects of Cement dust on Vegetation around Sokoto Cement Company

Abstract

The heavy metal deposition around Sokoto Cement Company was investigated to the extent of pollution caused by this industry. Eighty eight samples of plants were separately collected from the four directions of the company into polythene bags and brought to the laboratory for further analyses. The sample were digested using Aqua Regia Method, and the Hg, Zn, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb and Cu contents were determined by (AAS). Data generated were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to depict the differences and the means were separated with the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT), where significant differences occur. It was found that the concentration of each heavy metal decreased with increase in distance from the industry. It was further found that heavy metals contributed differently to the pollution status of the environment with the eastern part impacting most. Mercury was found to be present in high concentrations in all the plant materials. Zn was the least except for the southern part where Pb was the least. Sokoto Cement campany was found to produce the wastes/ dust that pollutes the environment and acacia nilotica can be used as biomonitor.