Estimation of Fluoride Concentration in Vegetations in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State,Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of fluoride contents of certain fodder plants like cassava, bitterleaf and  wire grass at close locations around aluminium smelting company in Ikot Abasi , Nigeria, were conducted in July , October and November , 2010 and July, October and November, 2011 .The fluoride contents of the vegetations obtained in this study were compared with the background fluoride content in vegetations determined elsewhere around the aluminium smelting plant before the commissioning of the plant . From the results of this study, the fluoride contents in vegetations considered were far higher than the background fluoride contents of less than 2 mg/kg . Fluoride content in cassava increased by 200 % , bitterleaf increased by 300 % in 2010, and fluoride content in cassava increased by more than 1000 % , wire grass increased by 200 % and bitterleaf increased by 500 % in 2011. As has been suggested that the daily fluoride intake should not exceed 10 mg per person, there is the need to set up bio-indicator systems for routine monitoring of fluoride emissions and control around the smelting plant.

Keywords : Fluoride , Aluminium smelting, Vegetation, Fluorosis , Phytotoxic.