Research Article Evaluation of heavy metal profiles in Telfairia occidentalis Hook and soil along Abak -Oruk A nam Ukanafun road in Akwa Ibom state of N igeria M M Etukudo 1* , I J Okereke 2, E J Ekpo 3 1Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, NIGERIA. 2Department of Environmental Resource Management, Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, NIGERIA. 3Departments of Chemistry, University of Calabar, Cro ss River State, NIGERIA. Email :
[email protected] Abstract Evaluation of heavy metal contents in soil and Telfairia occidentalis Hook was carried out along Abak - Oruk Anam- Ukanafun road in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Two major sampling locations, road side (RS) and remote area (RA) were choosen and sub-divided into four sampling units each, RS 1 to RS 4 (RS 1- Obio Akpa, RS 2- Ikot Uboh, RS 3- Nkek Abak and RS 4- Ikot Akpa Ntuen) and RA 1 to RA 4 (RA 1- Obio Akpa, RA 2- Ikot Uboh, RA 3- Nkek Abak and RA 4- Ikot Akpa Ntuen). Leaf ( Telfairia occidentalis ) and soil samples were obtained from each sampling units in five replicates. Soil chemical properties (pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, total nitrogen, calcium, mag nesium, sodium, and potassium) and heavy metals (zinc, copper, iron, lead, and cadmium) in experimental soil and leaf of the test crop were examined in each sampling unit. The results showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in soil chemic al properties, heavy metal contents (zinc, copper, iron, lead and cadmium) in soil and leaf of the test crop between the two major sampling locations.