MORINGA PLANTS AS EXPOSURE PATHWAYS FOR HEAVY METALS IN KABWE, ZAMBIA**

Authors

Marissa L. Mayfield*, Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow
Samuel Mutiti, Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA 31061Follow

Abstract

Nine decades of lead mining at the Broken Hill Mine in Kabwe, Zambia subsequently polluting the surrounding neighborhoods. This study is being carried out to assess the potential health risks of exposure to heavy metals via consumption of medicinal Moringa oleifera. While the tree could be medically beneficial to residents in contaminated areas, its ability to hyperaccumulate heavy metals could cause the tree to act as an additional exposure pathway to metals for people living in these areas. In addition, this study will examine the relationship between lead concentration in soils to the amount taken up by the moringa trees. Field samples were collected to analyze metal content of various parts of the tree and the surrounding soils. Moringa trees were also grown in lab to further determine the degree of heavy metal accumulation in different parts of the tree, in a controlled environment. The effect of mycorrhizae on metal uptake by moringa will also explored.

Recommended Citation

Mayfield*, Marissa L. and Mutiti, Samuel (2020) "MORINGA PLANTS AS EXPOSURE PATHWAYS FOR HEAVY METALS IN KABWE, ZAMBIA**," Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 78, No. 1, Article 87.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol78/iss1/87