ABSTRACT
Concentration of seven (7) metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Mu, Ni, Cr, and Cd) in the samples of soil and some plant species collected from Kachia military shooting range were determined. The mineral ions were assayed using the acid digestion method and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, Bulk density, water holding capacity and Total Nitrogen) of the soil samples were also determined. Of the 7 metals determined in the soils samples, the concentration of Pb (14.85 ± 6.78 mg/kg-1) was the highest compared to the concentrations of other metals. Physicochemical parameters were within the range that allows effective phytoremediation. Cu showed the lowest concentration (0.55 ± 1.68 mg/kg-1). Ni was below the detectable limit in most of the samples. Similarly, concentrations of Pb (12.30 mg/kg-1) in the shoot of Albizia zygia among other metals were higher than those of the other metals in the plant tissues. Concentration of Cd (0.07 mg/kg-1) in the root of Eragotis tremula was the lowest. Generally, metal ion concentration in the soil and plant samples of the shooting range (polluted site) significantly) differed from those of the non-polluted site (P<0.05). Combretum hispidium among the plant species had the highest translocation factor (TF = 2.91). Although the TF was higher in the plant of the polluted site TF >1), reasonable amount of them were retained within the underground tissues (roots).
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