Heavy Metal Concentrations around Volcanic Mountain Of Oldoinyo Lengai

The aim of this work was to assess the levels of heavy metal concentration in sample of soil and bean leaves (Vigna unguiculata) associated with volcanic eruption of mountain Oldoinyo Lengai in Arusha Tanzania. The analysis was carried out using energy dispersive X- ray fluorescence system (EDXRF) of Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission Arusha. Fifty five soil samples were collected from areas influenced by the volcanic eruptions of mountain Oldoinyo Lengai and ten bean leaves samples were also collected from Engare sero vegetable farm. The results show that the majority of elements in the volcanic soils had significantly higher concentration than their concentration in control soil samples. The results obtained from bean leaves samples showed that except for As and Cd which were in concentration below detection limits (0.6 and 2.4 mg/kg respectively) the rest of the other elements were in concentrations above FAO/WHO permissible limits. This work is intended to be very useful for postgraduate students in Nuclear and Environmental Physics as well all people who are interested in the field of environment in general.