Abstract:
The presence of heavy metal Cadmium and Lead in relatively low concentrations in fertilizers as impurities can be toxic to soil, plants and food produced and to the environment; and consequently to the animal-human health and productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate Fertilizer usage, Lead and Cadmium Contamination in Agricultural Soils and fertilizer, in Sire Woreda, Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. Samples of fertilizers used in the area including Urea, Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and a blended fertilizer Urea, Diammonium Phosphate ,Ammonium Sulphate with Borax (NPSB) and soil from four(4) site total of twelve (12) were collected, wet digested in acids(3HNO3 : HCl) and total concentrations of cadmium and lead in fertilizers and soil were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES).The total contents of cadmium in DAP, Urea, and NPSB were found to be (23.25 ± 5.21),(Not detected), and (30.02 ± 4.69) in mg/kg respectively. The total contents of Lead in DAP, Urea, and NPSB were found to be (30.17 ± 0.16), (13.8 ± 6.53), and (86.37 ±49.87) in mg/kg respectively. .The total contents of lead in Soil were found to be Michika (40. 7 ± 0.16 ) ,Bale( 22.48 ± 0.34) ,Shameda (S)( 18.73 ± 0.09 ) , Cirao (C) (9.83± 0.11)in mg/kg respectively. The concentration of cadmium in Soils are not detected .Long term applications of such impure fertilizers in Soil may lead to accumulation of cadmium and Lead in the Soil and food system. The high concentration of toxic heavy metals in fertilizers may lower the soil productivity, quantitative and qualitative value of food produced by and may cause poisoning effects to animal-human health and productivity. Thus, the quality of fertilizers used in ones country has to be regulated periodically for both essential and non-essential trace metal levels for sustainable use in food production.
Keywords: Cadmium and Lead; Fertilizers; Soil and ICP-OES