Distribution of Some Atmospheric Heavy Metals in Lichen and Moss Samples Collected from Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Aniefiok E. Ite^{1, 2,} , Imaobong I. Udousoro³ and Udo J. Ibok¹

¹Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B., Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

²Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom

³Department of Chemistry, University of Uyo, P.M.B., Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
Aniefiok E. Ite, Imaobong I. Udousoro and Udo J. Ibok. Distribution of Some Atmospheric Heavy Metals in Lichen and Moss Samples Collected from Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection. 2014; 2(1):22-31. doi: 10.12691/env-2-1-5

Abstract

The atmospheric deposition of some heavy metals was investigated using lichen (Parmelia caperata) and moss (Polytrichum juniperinum, Calymperes erosum and Racopilum africanum) samples collected from two oil–producing host communities viz Eket and Ibeno Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Lichen and moss samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrometry equipped with flame and graphite furnace after decomposition using acid digestion technique. The concentrations of heavy metals in lichen and moss samples ranged from 0.001 – 0.092 μg g⁻¹ for cadmium (Cd); 0.004 – 8.793 μg g⁻¹ for chromium (Cr); 0.989 – 1.950 μg g⁻¹ for cobalt (Co); 2.350 – 110.760 μg g⁻¹ for copper (Cu); 10.530 – 153.320 μg g⁻¹ for manganese (Mn); 1.425 – 21.730 μg g⁻¹ for nickel (Ni); 0.001 – 17.380 μg g⁻¹ for lead (Pb), and 23.530 – 130.600 μg g⁻¹ for zinc (Zn). The statistical significance of correlations between Cu–Pb, Cu–Zn, Pb–Ni and Mn–Zn concentrations confirmed anthropogenic sources mainly due to emissions from vehicular traffic, fossil fuel combustion, solid waste disposal and other local anthropogenic activities. In a direct comparison, some of the target heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, Mn, Ni and Zn were accumulated at higher concentrations in moss samples compared to lichen from the same sampling site. The results obtained reveal important contributions towards understanding of heavy metal deposition patterns and provide baseline data that can be used for potential identification of areas at risk from atmospheric heavy metals contamination in the region. The use of epiphytic lichens and mosses provides a cost–effective approach for monitoring regional atmospheric heavy metal contamination and may be effectively used in large scale air pollution monitoring programmer.

Keywords:
atmospheric deposition heavy metals lichen moss atomic absorption spectrometry akwa ibom state nigeria

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

References:

[1]	Lepp, N. W., Effects of heavy metal pollution on plants. Vol.1, Effects of trace metals on plant function, London: Applied Science Publishers, 1981.
[2]	Adriano, D. C., Trace elements in terrestrial environments: biogeochemistry, bioavailability, and risks of metals, p. pp. 867, New York; Berlin; Heidelberg: Springer, 2001.
[3]	Akbulut, M., S. Calisir, T. Marakoglu, and H. Coklar, “Chemical and technological properties of European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) fruits,” Asian Journal of Chemistry, 20 1875-1885, 2008.
[4]	Ross, H., “On the use of mosses (Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi) for estimating atmospheric trace metal deposition,” Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 50 (1). 63-76, 1990.
[5]	Markert, B. A., Plants as biomonitors : indicators for heavy metals in the terrestrial environment, Weinheim; New York: VCH, 1993.
[6]	Misra, S., and D. Mani, Soil pollution, New Delhi: APH Publishing Corp., 2009.
[7]	Pacyna, J. M., "Source Inventories for Atmospheric Trace Metals," Atmospheric Particles, IUPAC Series on Analytical and Physical Chemistry of Environmental Systems R. M. Harrison and R. E. van Grieken, eds., pp. 385‐423: Wiley, Chichester, UK, 1998.
[8]	Michaelis, W., “Wet and dry deposition of heavy metals,” Technische Mitteilungen, 79 (5-6). 266-271, 1986.
[9]	Tuncel, G., “Wet and dry deposition fluxes of major ions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea and Central Anatolia,” Map Technical Report Series (133). 1-34, 2001.
[10]	Allen, S. E., Chemical analysis of ecological materials, Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1989.
[11]	Ward, N. I., “Multielement contamination of British motorway environments,” Science of the Total Environment, 93 393-401, 1990.
[12]	Markert, B. A., A. M. Breure, and H. G. Zechmeister, Bioindicators and biomonitors: principles, concepts and applications, Amsterdam; Boston: Elsevier, 2003.
[13]	Grodzińska, K., M. Frontasyeva, G. Szarek-Łukaszewska, M. Klich, A. Kucharska-Fabiś, S. F. Gundorina, and T. M. Ostrovnaya, “Trace Element Contamination in Industrial Regions of Poland Studied by Moss Monitoring,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 87 (3). 255-270, 2003.
[14]	Rühling, A, and G. Tyler, “An ecological approach to the lead problem,” Botaniska Notiser, 122 248-342, 1968.
[15]	Tyler, G., "Moss analysis – a method for surveying heavy metal deposition."
[16]	Steinnes, E., “A critical evaluation of the use of naturally growing moss to monitor the deposition of atmospheric metals,” Science of the Total Environment, 160-161 243-249, 1995.
[17]	Abdullah, M. Z., A. B. Saat, and Z. B. Hamzah, “Assessment of the impact of petroleum and petrochemical industries to the surrounding areas in Malaysia using mosses as bioindicator supported by multivariate analysis,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 184 (6). 3959-3969, 2012.
[18]	Markert, B., “Definitions and principles for bioindication and biomonitoring of trace metals in the environment,” Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 21, Supplement 1 77-82, 2007.
[19]	Klos, A., M. Rajfur, I. Sramek, and M. Waclawek, “Use of Lichen and Moss in Assessment of Forest Contamination with Heavy Metals in Praded and Glacensis Euroregions (Poland and Czech Republic),” Water Air and Soil Pollution, 222 (1-4). 367-376, 2011.
[20]	Pino, A., A. Alimonti, F. Botre, C. Minoia, B. Bocca, and M. E. Conti, “Determination of twenty-five elements in lichens by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and microwave-assisted acid digestion,” Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry: RCM, 21 (12). 1900-1906, 2007.
[21]	Onianwa, P. C., and S. O. Ajayi, “Heavy metal contents of epiphytic acrocarpous mosses within inhabited sites in Southwest Nigeria,” Environment International, 13 (2). 191-196, 1987.
[22]	Onianwa, P. C., S. O. Ajayi, O. Osibanjo, and A. Egunyomi, “Accumulation patterns of heavy metals in forest mosses from the south-west region of Nigeria,” Environmental Pollution Series B, Chemical and Physical, 11 (1). 67-78, 1986.
[23]	Onianwa, P. C., and A. Egunyomi, “Trace metal levels in some Nigerian mosses used as indicators of atmospheric pollution,” Environmental Pollution Series B, Chemical and Physical, 5 (1). 71-81, 1983.
[24]	Kakulu, S. E., “Biological monitoring of atmospheric trace metal deposition in North-Eastern Nigeria,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 28 (2). 137-143, 1993.
[25]	Rühling, A., Atmospheric heavy metal deposition in Europe: estimations based on moss analysis, Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers, 1994.
[26]	Sawidis, T., G. A. Zachariadis, J. Stratis, and E. Ladukakis, “Mosses as Biological Indicators for Monitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution,” Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 2 193-199, 1993.
[27]	Sawidis, T., M. K. Chettri, G. A. Zachariadis, J. A. Stratis, and M. R. D. Seaward, “Heavy metal bioaccumulation in lichens from Macedonia in Northern Greece,” Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry, 50 (1-4). 157-166, 1995.
[28]	Garty, J., "Lichens as Biomonitors for Heavy Metal Pollution," Plants as biomonitors: indicators for heavy metals in the terrestrial environment, B. A. Markert, ed., pp. 193-264, Weinheim; New York: VCH, 1993.
[29]	Bako, S. P., S. Afolabi, and I. I. Funtua, “Spatial distribution and heavy metal content of some bryophytes and lichens in relation to air pollution in Nigeria's Guinea Savanna,” International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 33 (2). 195-206, 2008.
[30]	Fatoba, P. O., and T. I. Oduekun, “Assessment of metal deposition in Ilorin metropolis using mosses as bioindicators,” Nigerian Journal of Pure and Applied Science, 19 1549-1552, 2004.
[31]	NPC, 2006 Population and Housing Census of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: National and State Population and Housing Tables, Federal Republic of Nigeria - Abuja: National Population Commission (NPC), 2009.
[32]	Ite, A. E., and U. J. Ibok, “Gas Flaring and Venting Associated with Petroleum Exploration and Production in the Nigeria's Niger Delta,” American Journal of Environmental Protection, 1 (4). 70-77, 2013.
[33]	Jozwik, Z., “Heavy metals in tundra plants of Bellsund area, Spitsbergen,” Polish Polar Research, 11 401-409, 1990.
[34]	Loppi, S., S. A. Pirintsos, and V. De Dominicis, “Soil Contribution to the Elemental Composition of Epiphytic Lichens (Tuscany, Central Italy),” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 58 (2). 121-131, 1999.
[35]	Riget, F., G. Asmund, and P. Aastrup, “The use of lichen (Cetraria nivalis) and moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) as monitors for atmospheric deposition in Greenland,” The Science of the total environment, 245 (1-3). 137-148, 2000.
[36]	Jeran, Z., R. Jacimovic, F. Batic, and R. Mavsar, “Lichens as integrating air pollution monitors,” Environmental Pollution, 120 (1). 107-113, 2002.
[37]	Mendil, D., M. Tuzen, K. Yazici, and M. Soylak, “Heavy metals in lichens from roadsides and an industrial zone in Trabzon, Turkey,” Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 74 (1). 190-194, 2005.
[38]	Uluozlu, O. D., K. Kinalioglu, M. Tuzen, and M. Soylak, “Trace metal levels in lichen samples from roadsides in East Black Sea region, Turkey,” Biomedical Environmental Sciences, 20 (3). 203-207, 2007.
[39]	Aksoy, A., Z. Leblebici, and M. G. Halici, "Biomonitoring of Heavy Metal Pollution Using Lichen (Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf.) Exposed in Bags in a Semi-arid Region, Turkey," Plant Adaptation and Phytoremediation, M. Ashraf, M. Ozturk and M. S. A. Ahmad, eds., pp. 59-70: Springer Netherlands, 2010.
[40]	Nordberg, G. F., K. Nogawa, M. Nordberg, and L. T. Friberg, "Chapter 23 - Cadmium," Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals (Third Edition), G. F. Nordberg, B. A. Fowler, M. Nordberg and L. T. Friberg, eds., pp. 445-486, Burlington: Academic Press, 2007.
[41]	Schroeder, W. H., M. Dobson, D. M. Kane, and N. D. Johnson, “Toxic Trace Elements Associated with Airborne Particulate Matter: A Review,” JAPCA, 37 (11). 1267-1285, 1987.
[42]	Loppi, S., E. Putortì, S. A. Pirintsos, and V. De Dominicis, “Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Epiphytic Lichens Near a Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator (Central Italy),” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 61 (3). 361-371, 2000.
[43]	Pandey, V., D. K. Upreti, R. Pathak, and A. Pal, “Heavy metal accumulation in lichens from the Hetauda industrial area Narayani zone Makwanpur District, Nepal,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 73 (3). 221-228, 2002.
[44]	Langard, S., and M. Costa, "Chapter 24 - Chromium," Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals (Third Edition), G. F. Nordberg, B. A. Fowler, M. Nordberg and L. T. Friberg, eds., pp. 487-510, Burlington: Academic Press, 2007.
[45]	Harte, J., Toxics A to Z: A Guide to Everyday Pollution Hazards, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991.
[46]	Hamilton, E. I., “The geobiochemistry of cobalt,” Science of the Total Environment, 150 (1-3). 7-39, 1994.
[47]	Kim, J. H., H. J. Gibb, P. Howe, and M. Sheffer, Cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds: Concise International Chemical Assessment Document, No 69 9789241530699 9241530693, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2006.
[48]	Gál, J., A. Hursthouse, P. Tatner, F. Stewart, and R. Welton, “Cobalt and secondary poisoning in the terrestrial food chain: Data review and research gaps to support risk assessment,” Environment International, 34 (6). 821-838, 2008.
[49]	Frenzel, R. W., G. W. Witmer, and E. E. Starkey, “Heavy metal concentrations in a lichen of Mt. Rainier and Olympic National Parks, Washington, USA,” Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 44 (1). 158-164, 1990.
[50]	Tüzen, M., “A Comparison of Sample Preparation Procedures for the Determination of Heavy Metals in Lichen Samples by GFAAS,” Analytical Letters, 35 (10). 1667-1676, 2002.
[51]	Georgopoulos, P. G., A. Roy, M. J. Yonone-Lioy, R. E. Opiekun, and P. J. Lioy, “Environmental copper: its dynamics and human exposure issues,” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B, Critical Reviews, 4 (4). 341-394, 2001.
[52]	Sweet, C. W., S. J. Vermette, and S. Landsberger, “Sources of toxic trace elements in urban air in Illinois,” Environmental Science & Technology, 27 (12). 2502-2510, 1993.
[53]	Romo-Kröger, C. M., and F. Llona, “A case of atmospheric contamination at the slopes of the Los Andes mountain range,” Atmospheric Environment. Part A. General Topics, 27 (3). 401-404, 1993.
[54]	Wiersma, G. B., M. E. Harmon, G. A. Baker, and S. E. Greene, “Elemental composition of Hylocomium splendens Hoh Rainforest Olympic National Park Washington, USA,” Chemosphere, 16 (10-12). 2631-2645, 1987.
[55]	WHO, Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, 2nd ed., p. pp. 273, Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe, 2000.
[56]	Pace, T. G., and N. H. Frank, Procedures for estimating probability of nonattainment of a PM10 NAAQS using total suspended particulate or inhalable particulate data, Research Triangle Park, N.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Monitoring and Data Analysis Division, 1984.
[57]	Kula, E., P. Hrdlička, J. Hedbávný, and P. Švec, “Various content of manganese in selected forest tree species and plants in the undergrowth,” Beskydy, 5 (1). 19-26, 2012.
[58]	Zhu, F., L. Qu, W. Fan, M. Qiao, H. Hao, and X. Wang, “Assessment of heavy metals in some wild edible mushrooms collected from Yunnan Province, China,” Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 179 (1-4). 191-199, 2011.
[59]	Norseth, T., and M. Piscator, "Nickel," Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals, L. Friberg, G. Nordberg and V. B. Vouk, eds., pp. 541-553, Amsterdam; New York: Elsevier/North-Holland Biomedical Press, 1979.
[60]	Allen-Gil, S. M., J. Ford, B. K. Lasorsa, M. Monetti, T. Vlasova, and D. H. Landers, “Heavy metal contamination in the Taimyr Peninsula, Siberian Arctic,” Science of the Total Environment, 301 (1-3). 119-138, 2003.
[61]	Divrikli, U., M. Soylak, L. Elci, and M. Dogan, “Trace Heavy Metal Levels in Street Dust Samples from Yozgat City Center, Turkey,” Journal of Trace and Microprobe Techniques, 21 (2). 351-361, 2003.
[62]	Pacyna, J. M., and T. E. Graedel, “Atmospheric Emissions Inventories: Status and Prospects,” Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, 20 (1). 265-300, 1995.
[63]	Klaassen, C., Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, Seventh Edition, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
[64]	Goyer, R. A., and T. W. Clarkson, "Toxic effects of metal," Casarett and Doull's Toxicology : The Basic Science of Poisons, C. D. Klaassen, ed., pp. 931-979, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007.
[65]	Adamo, P., S. Giordano, S. Vingiani, R. Castaldo Cobianchi, and P. Violante, “Trace element accumulation by moss and lichen exposed in bags in the city of Naples (Italy),” Environmental Pollution, 122 (1). 91-103, 2003.
[66]	Garty, J., R. Ronen, and M. Galun, “Correlation between chlorophyll degradation and the amount of some elements in the lichen Ramalina duriaei (de not.) Jatta,” Environmental and Experimental Botany, 25 (1). 67-74, 1985.
[67]	Loppi, S., and I. Bonini, “Lichens and mosses as biomonitors of trace elements in areas with thermal springs and fumarole activity (Mt. Amiata, Central Italy),” Chemosphere, 41 (9). 1333-1336, 2000.
[68]	Bargagli, R., Trace elements in terrestrial plants: an ecophysiological approach to biomonitoring and biorecovery: Springer, 1998.
[69]	Reimann, C., J. H. Halleraker, G. Kashulina, and I. Bogatyrev, “Comparison of plant and precipitation chemistry in catchments with different levels of pollution on the Kola Peninsula, Russia,” Science of the Total Environment, 243-244 169-191, 1999.
[70]	Allen, A. G., E. Nemitz, J. P. Shi, R. M. Harrison, and J. C. Greenwood, “Size distributions of trace metals in atmospheric aerosols in the United Kingdom,” Atmospheric Environment, 35 (27). 4581-4591, 2001.
[71]	Coskun, M., E. Steinnes, M. Coskun, and A. Cayir, “Comparison of Epigeic Moss (Hypnum cupressiforme) and Lichen (Cladonia rangiformis) as Biomonitor Species of Atmospheric Metal Deposition,” Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 82 (1). 1-5, 2009.