Effects of quarry mining activities on the nutritional composition of edible vegetables in Ishiagu, Ebonyi state, Nigeria

The study assessed the effects of quarry mining wastes on the nutritional composition of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin), Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Taliferia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) using standard analytical methods. Nearby farmland soil receiving effluents from quarry operators were used for the study. The study covered wet and dry seasons. Water from hand dug wells in the mining area was used to irrigate farmland during the dry season. Results of study revealed a significant reduction in protein, lipid and carbohydrate content of vegetables grown in the area compared to the control (P<0.05). Further, vitamin composition of the selected vegetables significantly increased (P<0.05) in response to environmental stress compare to control. These results suggest contamination of farmlands in the study area by mine waste water and subsequent contaminant was also uptake by vegetables grown in such farmlands. Findings from this study imply that crop farming in the quarry environment and irrigation of farmlands with water from hand dug wells in the mining area should be discouraged. There is also a possibility of human ingestion of accumulated toxic contaminants such as heavy metals in vegetables if consumed.