Abstract: This study investigates the uptake of heavy metals by plants in the coal belt of Kogi East, Nigeria, focusing on the Ika-Ogboyaga and Okaba mine sites within the Omala/Ankpa LGA. Using a table of random numbers, sampling plots were selected, and plant species growing on both contaminated and uncontaminated sites were harvested. The plants collected include Ampelopteris prolifera, Paspalum dilatatum, Imperata cylindrica, Cymbopogon citratus, among others. Samples were transported to the Federal University of Technology, Minna Central Research Laboratory, where they were processed and analyzed for heavy metals content using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS-VGP 210). Results indicated significant variations in heavy metal concentrations across different plant species and sites, with some values exceeding WHO permissible limits. For instance, at the Ika-Ogboyaga mine site, Ampelopteris prolifera showed zinc concentrations of 2.8±0.14 mg in leaves and 2.84±0.02 mg in roots, while Cymbopogon citratus had copper levels of 0.46±0.07 mg in leaves. At the Okaba mine site, Afromomum daniellii recorded zinc concentrations of 2.345±0.41 mg in leaves and 2.06±0.01 mg in roots, and Afromomum melegueta showed copper levels of 0.5±0.09 mg in leaves. The control site (Abache) had significantly lower concentrations, such as Byrsocarpus coccineus schum with zinc levels of 1.51±0.69 mg in leaves. ANOVA results demonstrated significant spatial variation in the concentrations of zinc (F(2) = 138.1956, P = 1.37E-04), copper (F(2) = 137.1485, P = 1.64E-05), iron (F(2) = 336.8571, P = 2.66E-04), manganese (F(2) = 203.9159, P = 1.05E-04), and lead (F(2) = 29.2703, P = 1.79E-06). The study recommended regular monitoring of heavy metal concentrations in both soil and plants within and around coal mining areas to detect and address contamination early.
Key words: Coal, Heavy Metal, Mining, Plant contamination