Heavy metal bioaccumulation of selected tuber crops from Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, South East, Nigeria

Heavy metal concentration of soil and selected root crops cassava, yam, cocoyam and potato from three mining areas of Ishiagu, Ebonyi State were Evaluated. Heavy metals were analysed using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results showed that lead (Pb) concentration of soil samples raged from 1.12±0.01 a 2.05±0.01c, Cadmium 0.46±0.02a – 0.77±0.01b, Chromuim 0.97±0.03d – 1.23± 0.02b, Ni 0.83±0.02d 1.56±0.04b, Mn 1.23±0.04d -1.42±0.03c and Zn 1.95±0.01c – 2.16±0.03d. These values were significantly higher than control (P<0.05).Results also indicates that these root crops accumulated all the heavy metals analysed more than the control samples. There is need therefore to have proper remediation in order to reduce heavy metal concentration of these crops.