PHYTOREMEDIATION POTENTIAL OF NEEM TREE (AZADIRACHTA INDICA) FOR HEAVY METAL ABSORPTION IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS OF KANO AND KADUNA, NIGERIA.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2025.1102.021Keywords:
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer,, Azadirachta indica,, Heavy metals,, Industrial areas,, PhytoremediationAbstract
This study assessed the potential of neem trees (Azadirachta indica) to absorb heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) in industrial areas of Kano and Kaduna States, Nigeria. Samples of leaves, bark, and roots were collected at 50m, 100m, and 1km radii from Challawa and Sun Seed industrial areas. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry determined heavy metal composition. Descriptive statistics and Two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data. The results showed that at Sun Seed Industrial Area, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn concentrations did not differ significantly between points (P = 0.069, 0.650, 0.592, and 0.538, respectively), but varied significantly along distances for Cd (P = 0.001), Cu (P = 0.001), and Zn (P = 0.019). In Challawa, significant differences were found in metal concentrations (Cd: P = 0.011, Cu: P = 0.00, Pb: P = 0.008, and Zn: P = 0.006). The study concludes that neem trees can effectively absorb heavy metals, demonstrating their potential in phytoremediation. Based on the findings, it is recommended that neem trees be planted in industrial areas to mitigate heavy metal pollution and enhance environmental sustainability.
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