LINN Simulation Model for Health/Environmental Impacts Associated with the Presence of Dangerous Minerals in Agricultural Soils
W. Meserecordias Lema
School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
N. Jasper Ijumba
School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
N. Karoli Njau
School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania.
A. Patrick Ndakidemi *
School of Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering, Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, P.O.Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In this study, a brief history related to mathematical modeling of minerals uptake by plants from soil is presented. Thereafter, a simulation model called LINN is developed that will have the main task of providing a link between the results predicted by the existing mathematical models and/or measured values (from real experiments) and health impacts as stipulated elsewhere in the literatures. LINN model is built on MS-OFFICE (Access). Six metallic trace elements (MTE) that are known to be dangerous to the ecosystem (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb) can be evaluated by LINN. This program provides general descriptions on impacts that may happen to plants and/or human beings when these elements are present in the soils at levels exceeding the standard limits set by the regulatory organs i.e. World Health Organization (WHO). However, LINN does not differentiate impacts related to MTEs present at levels just above the standard limits from levels extremely higher than the standard limits.
Keywords: Metallic trace elements, mathematical/simulation modeling, modeling, LINN, plants, human beings