Assessment of the Relationship between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil and Tea Leaves Grown at Amani in Tanga Region by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)

Authors

Mohamed Mazunga, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow
Masasi Kamanyola, University of Dar es Salaam, TanzaniaFollow

Abstract

Determination of the concentration of heavy metals in tea leaves is important in assessing its quality for human consumption. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the concentration of heavy metals in soil and tea leaves at Kwamkoro tea plantation in Amani, Tanga. The soil and tea leaves samples were analysed by using the Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry. The results of heavy metals mean concentrations in soil were Cr (185.65 ± 27.91 µg/g), Mn (341.15 ± 24.41 µg/g), Ni (25.6 ± 3.27 µg/g), Cu (21.71 ± 2.33 µg/g), Zn (41.29 ± 5.27 µg/g), As (1.25 ± 0.17 µg/g), Cd (2.47 ± 0.53 µg/g), Hg (1.06 ± 0.21 µg/g) and Pb (17.65 ± 2.35 µg/g). Mean concentration of As and Cd in soil of Amani, Tanga were 1.25 and 2.47 times greater than the maximum permissible limit values for agricultural soil set by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in tea leaves were Cu (15.19 ± 0.62 µg/g), As (0.03 ± 0.03µg/g), Cd (1.88 ± 0.68 µg/g), Hg (0.10 ± 0.04 µg/g), and Pb (0.41 ± 0.11 µg/g). The mean concentrations of Cu, As, Hg and Pb were below, while that of Cd was above the limit value of safety standard set by the WHO and FAO. The study concluded that, the strong positive correlation observed between heavy metals in soil and tea leaves implies that there is strong relationship between the concentration of heavy metals in the soil and those found in tea leaves. Therefore, the application of phosphates fertilizer and agrochemicals must be monitored in Amani tea plantation because it increases the concentrations of heavy metals in both soil and tea leaves.

Recommended Citation

Mazunga, Mohamed and Kamanyola, Masasi (2021) "Assessment of the Relationship between Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil and Tea Leaves Grown at Amani in Tanga Region by Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF)," Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences: Vol. 10 : No. 4 , Article 9.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v10.i4.1

Publication Date

11-23-2021

DOI

10.56279/jhss.v10.i4.1

Publisher

Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE)