Determination of heavy metals in soil and tobacco leaves from growing farm in migori county

Abstract

Tobacco products are consumed in large amounts by human beings in the world. Also, tobacco is one of the most important agricultural products in Kenya. The accumulation of heavy metals in tobacco leaves can be transferred to people through smoking which is well known. This study was carried out to determined concentration of heavy metals in tobacco and soil from Migori County. The analysis was done by atomic absorption spectrometer. The soils were slightly acidic and the highest PH value recorded was 6.53 and the lowest was 6.12.The highest concentration of metallic contents found in the soil was Iron with the highest value of (20.09±3.78ug/g) and the lowest value of(13.92±4.52ug/g),while the highest concentration of metallic contents found in the leaves also was Iron with the highest value of (1.706±0.079ug/g) and the lowest value of(0.789±0.003ug/g).The more acidic the soil the higher the concentration of heavy metals. Key Words: Tobacco, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Heavy Metals.