Abstract:
The global issue of environmental contamination by heavy metals continues to rise, emphasizing the need for ongoing soil monitoring around industrial areas. This study focuses on the physical, chemical, and heavy metal concentration analysis of soil in the proximity of selected industries within Kaduna metropolis. The mean values for pH, electrical conductivity, % organic matter, % sand, % clay, and % silt were found to be 7.16±0.35, 362.60±10.7 µS/cm, 2.92±0.50, 76.50±0.81, 17.79±5.51, and 6.13±1.65, respectively. The average concentrations of the investigated heavy metals ranged between 26.89±0.36 µg/g and 77.18±0.40 µg/g for Pb, 29.25±0.7 µg/g and 44.20±0.35 µg/g for Cr, not detected (ND) to 1.5±0.02 µg/g for Cd, 134.63±1.10 µg/g to 217.96±0.16 µg/g for Zn, 9.58±0.7 µg/g to 74.45±0.20 µg/g for Cu, 92.14±0.20 µg/g to 200.8±0.31 µg/g for Mn, and 1185.80±4.66 µg/g to 2488.00±2.37 µg/g for Fe, respectively. The textile industry’s vicinity exhibited the highest Cr concentration among the sampling areas, while Fe concentration surpassed that of other elements significantly. Notably, Cd was undetected in certain soil samples. Metal concentrations followed the order Cd<Cu<Cr<Pb<Mn<Zn<Fe. Geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor results indicated moderate soil contamination for most metals. The metal concentrations were significantly elevated compared to the control, highlighting anthropogenic contributions to contamination. Inter-elemental correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations of Pb with Cr and Mn, along with a negative correlation with Cd. Moreover, Pb, Cd, and Cu displayed noteworthy positive correlations with total organic matter in the soil. To mitigate contamination, it is advisable to implement regular monitoring of industrial effluent discharge and avoid agricultural activities in the vicinity of these industries.
ASSESSING SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL TRAITS AND HEAVY METAL LEVELS NEAR KADUNA METROPOLIS INDUSTRIES. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
