Content of Cd, Cr and Pb in Soil and Amaranthus caudatus Grown in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

The concentrations of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr and Pb) were determined in top soil and (Amaranthus caudatus) samples from irrigated farmlands in Yamaltu, Gombe State, Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results show that the heavy metals contents were higher in the soil than in the amaranths. The results also revealed the trend in soil metals concentration as Cd > Pb > Cr and for the plant as Cd > Cr > Pb. Transfer factors (TF) decreased in the following order: Cd > Pb > Cr respectively. The levels of toxic metals are within the tolerable levels except for Cd in Amaranthus caudatus which are higher than the Indian Standard recommended values (1.5 mg kg-1) for human consumption. The high level of Cd place the consumers of this vegetable crop grown within the area at health risk with time unless an urgent step is taken to address this issue.