The high concentration of heavy metals in soils is reflected by higher concentrations of metals in plants consequently in animal and human bodies. Small amounts of many heavy metals are required by plants to remain healthy. Assessment of the levels of Fe, Pb, Cd, Zn and Ni in dumpsite soils and vegetation around solid waste dumpsites within university of uyo environment was carried out using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometric technique. This study focused on the investigation of soil contamination (Fe, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni) in dumpsite soil and accumulation in plant growing in the environment within university of uyo. Total of six soil samples were collected three dumpsites in which three were control and nine plants samples were also collected at the three different dumpsite. Soil samples were randomly collected by depth profile (0-5cm). Both soil and plant samples were pretreated, digested by the wet method using microwave oven. Heavy metals in soil and plant samples were analyzed with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) equipped with Graphite Furnace. Concentrations of the metals in the dumpsite soil and plant were found to be in higher concentrations compared to control. However, continuous exposure to these metals might bring about bioaccumulation and thus harmfulhealth effects on the population.
