Heavy Metals Contents in Soils and Some Crops Irrigated Along the Bindare Stream Zaria- Kaduna State, Nigeria

Heavy metal contents of some crops and farm soil irrigated along the Bindare stream in Chikaji Zaria were investigated. The results of the analysis indicate that the crops contained substantial amount of heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Zn and Fe) compared to similar crops irrigated far distance from the stream. The concentration of the heavy metals (Zn, Cr and Fe) in the crops and the farm soil were found to be below the FAO/WHO safe limit, while the concentration of Pb was higher than the FAO/WHO safe limit. This suggest that the crops and the farm soil along the stream were contaminated by these heavy metals as the stream receives industrial waste discharges. Contamination factors and Geo-accumulation index for Pb, Cr, Zn and Fe in the areas under investigation were carried out. The results revealed that the soils are currently polluted with Pb and Zn.