Sustainable Food Security: Pesticide Residues And Heavy Metals Accumulation In Ugu Vegetable Grown In Atani, Anambra State

Authors

  • Edith Madukasi Department of Environmental Management, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State Author
  • L. K. Azaka Department of Environmental Management, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State Author

Keywords:

Environmental degradation, Food Sustainability, Heavy metals, Pesticide Residues, Ugu Leafy Vegetable

Abstract

Pesticide residue an emerging contaminant that induce soil degradation, water pollution and health challenges in ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess both organochlorine, organophosphate pesticide residues and some heavy metal levels in Ugu leafy vegetable grown in Atani farm fields and to compare the results with WHO standard limit. Application of field survey and appropriate laboratory analyses showed DDE mean value of 0.28±0.2 having a 0.0% compliance with WHO standard limit. Heavy metal Pb mean values ranged from 0.23±0.0, 0.55±5.0 and 0.13±0.0 for the Ugu leaf samples obtained from the four Ugu farm fields assayed, which also gave a 0,0% compliance with the WHO standard limit. ANOVA at significance level of 0.05 was employed in testing the research hypothesis. It showed a positive relationship between pesticides used for Ugu cultivation and pesticide residues on Ugu leaf samples (p < 0.05). The findings indicate the presence of heavy metals, organochlorine and organophosphates residues in all the Ugu leaf from the four farms assayed. While Pb and DDE were above WHO standards limit. This poses serious environmental concern due to persistent, toxicity and bioaccumulation of these contaminants detected on the leaves. It could lead to soil degradation, water pollution and pose health challenges on both ecosystem and humans, a bane of food security.

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Published

18-06-2025

How to Cite

Sustainable Food Security: Pesticide Residues And Heavy Metals Accumulation In Ugu Vegetable Grown In Atani, Anambra State . (2025). FESCON Conference Proceedings, 5(1), 42-51. https://ajer.org.ng/index.php/fescon-proceedings/article/view/146