dc.description.abstract |
This study. aimed at providing baseline information on the levels of some
heavy metals in selected fadama soils around the Sokoto metropolis. Three ..,
pollution-prone fadruna farmlands; "Kalambaina" site,' .•Illela ••...
garagei'(More~ sire and University site were chosen for the study. Seven
heavy metals, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cr, Ni and Fe, plus four alkaline metals, Na,
K. Ca and Mg were determined in soils from each site. A comparison of the
values for heavy metals obtained in the soils and the guide values for soil
pollution concentration showed that the amount-of Cu have exceeded the
guide limits of 40 p.g Cu/g dry soil at all the three study sites. Excess value
of Cr, beyond the safe limits of ?O u g Cr/g dry soil, was found at
Kalambaina site. Further, comparison of the results with the FEPA and
WHO permissible limits for the heavy metals in industrial effluents
applicable for land showed that the levels of these heavy metals present in
the soils were overwhelmingly high. This suggests that the presumed wastes
at the sites could be very toxic and hazardous to both plants and animals. On
the other hand, high levels of Ca and other alkaline metals and the neutral-toalkaline
pH observed in the study sites may affect the mobility of the heavy
metals and further concentrate them in the soi Is. Because of the possibi lity of
uptake and accumulation steps must be taken to reduce the net quantity of
the heavy metals present. |
en_US |