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The optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure (proposed by the Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme (SM&T) of the European Union) was applied to seven topsoil samples from refuse dump sites for the determination of Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd. The metals were partitioned into four operationally defined chemical fractions: acid extractable, reducible, oxidizable and residual, and analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, FAAS.The results were compared with total metal concentrations obtained using HNO 3 , HClO 4 and HF digestion procedures. Results for total metal analysis ranged from -15.55 to 43.45 for Cu, 37.15 to 222.35 for Zn, 5.15 to 12.10 for Ni, 10.30 to 93.05 for Pb and 0.35 to 3.75 for Cd in µgg −1 dry weight. The results of the partitioning study showed that zinc prevailed in the more soluble fractions and was distributed between the acid-extractable (32.4%) and the reducible (40.3%) fractions, whereas Pb was distributed mainly in the reducible fraction. Copper and nickel were predominantly associated with the reducible and residual fractions -53.4, 33.3 and 51.1, 24.1% respectively. The ranking of the four fractions for the partitioning of cadmium was: reducible > residual > oxidizable > acid extractable. The percentage recovery for all metals when comparing total metal concentration with the fractional sum of the optimized BCR procedure, were of the order: Zn(93%) > Pb(83%) > Cu(78) > Cd > (68%) > Ni(63%).

The optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure was applied to nine roadside soil samples for the determination of Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni. The extractable metals were isolated into three operationally defined fractions viz: acid extractable, reducible and oxidizable. The residue was treated with aqua regia solution. Metal analysis was done using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry with airacetylene flame. Results obtained showed the concentrations of the metals as relative abundance in the mobile phases of the samples (based on the sum of the first three fractions) are in the following order: Cd(91.9) [ Pb(82.8) [ Ni(49.5) [ Cr(39.0). The most non-mobilizable metals were Cr and Ni which are generally lithogenic, associated with the silicate matrix, and the order is as follows: Cr(61.0) [ Ni(50.5) [ Pb(17.2) [ Cd(8.1). The recovery of all the metals expressed as the ratio of total metal concentration to fractional sum of the optimized BCR sequential extraction procedure was of the order: Cr(95.6) [ Pb(95.0) [ Ni(94.8) [ Cd(92.4).

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Cola parchycarpa is one of the under-utilized monkey kola plants that yield edible tasty fruits.The amino acids, vitamins, mineral elements, proximate and anti-nutrients composition of the white aril, seed and fruit epicarp were evaluated using standard procedures. The total essential amino acids ranged from 31.84-55.70 g/100 g, predominated in lysine, leucine and cysteine. The fruit pulp and epicarp contained substantial amount of ascorbic acid (6.310 and 6.646 mg/100 g) and tocopherols (7.328 and 5.314 mg/100 g), respectively including vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and K1. Potassium, zinc and manganese were relatively high in the seed while calcium, magnesium and iron dominated in the fruit epicarp. The proximate analysis data of the fruit pulp and epicarp were similar except in protein and lipid content.Anti-nutritional factors (phytate, oxalates, cyanide and tannins) were below permissible limits. This is the first report on amino acids and detailed vitamins composition of C. parchycarpa.These findings indicate the rich nutritional potential of this tasty fruit and further processing into other value added products would encourage conservation and subversion of its impending extinction.

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