The increasing global concern on accumulation of heavy metals in African Leafy Vegetables (ALV), has prompted the search for new bioremediation approaches that seek to curtail the growing risk of exposure to these carcinogenic agents by consuming crops grown on contaminated soils. An important step in controlling the spread of these soil contaminants is the detection and evaluation of heavy metals on soils used for the growth of vegetable crops in urban and peri-urban regions. The aim of this study was to quantify the concentration of a widely known toxic metal; lead (Pb) in soils used for growing vegetable in Zaria, and their possible translocation from the soil to different parts of lettuce (Lactuca sativa). Analyses of the leaves using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry method based on bioaccumulation factors (BF) revealed little or no accumulation of the heavy metal studied (BF
Key words: Heavy metals, Kubanni River, Lactuca sativa, Bioaccumulation, Transfer factors
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