LEVEL OF HEAVY METALS AND THEIR BIOAVAILABILITY IN SOIL IN KAKURI INDUSTRIAL AREA OF KADUNA, NIGERIA.
LEVEL OF HEAVY METALS AND THEIR BIOAVAILABILITY IN SOIL IN KAKURI INDUSTRIAL AREA OF KADUNA, NIGERIA.
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Date
2014-08
Authors
AROME, EMMANUEL,
SOLOMON.
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Abstract
This study investigated the level of heavy metal contamination in soils at 0 to 10cm and 10 to 20 cm depths from twelve (12) sample locations in Kakuri industrial area of Kaduna, Nigeria. The phisco-chemical parameters such as organic matter content (OM), soil pH, calcium carbonate and particle size distribution of the soil samples were determined. The total concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Hg and V were also determined using XRF spectrophotometer with the results showing a mean concentrations (in mgkg-1) of 100.5 ± 19.82, 60.02 ±3 .60, 26.25 ± 6.44, 42.42 ± 5.21, 32.00 ± 1.68, 28.80 ± 9.35 and 73.08 ± 3.52 respectively.Significant spatial variation in concentrations was observed for all metals across the locations as metal concentrations (mgkg-1) ranged: Zn, 20-420; Cu, 26-110; Ni, 9-72; Cr, 22-157; Pb, 27-34; Hg, 10-60 and V, 47-120. The degree of pollution varies with the level and proximity to industrial activities. The data was subjected to descriptive analysis to determine the Geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (Cf) with results indicating that the soils can be considered uncontaminated with Igeo ≤ 1 for virtually all the locations with the exception of KGW with 1˂ Igeo ≤ 2 indicating it is considerably contaminated according to the Igeo classification guideline. The contamination factor Cf also confirms the soil is uncontaminated having Cf values 1.31, 1.40 and 1.70 for Zn, Cu and Pb respectively which falls under the classification 1 ≤ Cf ˂ 3 meaning the soil is considerably contaminated. Correlation analysis shows Zn, Hg and Cu have common source(s) in the environment and also strongly correlated to pH and organic matter.Bioavailable concentrations of the studied soil were equally low due to basic soil pH and to high content of free calcium carbonate. The relative bioavailability followed the order of Zn>Cu>Hg>Pb>Ni>Cr>V.
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE INANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY.
Keywords
LEVEL,, HEAVY,, METALS,, BIOAVAILABILITY,, SOIL,, KAKURI,, INDUSTRIAL,, AREA,, KADUNA,, NIGERIA.