ABSTRACT
The soaring trend of environmental contamination by heavy metals is a global issue. The continual monitoring of soils around industrial areas becomes necessary. The present study focused on the physicochemical and heavy metal concentration in soil around the vicinity of selected industries in Kaduna metropolis. The mean pH, electrical conductivity, % organic matter, % sand, % clay and % silt obtained were 7.16±0.35, 362.60 ±10.7µS/cm, 2.92±0.50, 76.50±0.81, 17.79±5.51 and 6.13±1.65 respectively. The mean concentrations of the heavy metals investigated ranged between 26.89±0.36 – 77.18±0.40 µg/g for Pb, 29.25±0.7 – 44.20±0.35µg/g for Cr, ND – 1.5±0.02µg/g for Cd, 134.63±1.10 – 217.96±0.16 µg/g for Zn, 9.58±0.7–74.45±0.20µg/g for Cu, 92.14±0.20 – 200.8±0.31 µg/g for Mn and 1185.80±4.66 – 2488.00± 2.37 µg/g for Fe respectively. The highest concentration of Cr in the sampling areas was obtained at the vicinity of textile industry. The concentration of Fe was much higher than those of other elements. Cd was not detected in some of the soil samples. The concentrations of the metals were in the order Cd<Cu<Cr<Pb<Mn<Zn<Fe. The results of geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor showed that the soils were moderately contaminated with most of the metals investigated. The concentrations of the metals examined were significantly higher than the control, which also implied contamination due to anthropogenic contribution. Inter-elemental correlation matrix showed significant positive correlation of Pb with Cr and Mn, but negative correlation with Cd. Pb, Cd and Cu also showed a significant positive correlation with total organic matter of soil. Planned monitoring of the discharge of industrial effluents into the environment as well as avoidance of agricultural activities around the vicinity of these industries was recommended.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Industrialization and urbanization have promoted socio-economic development. However they have also led to varieties of environmental hazards. This is because the soaring trend of industrialization has engendered significant environmental pollution (Ghosh and Singh, 2005; Sayyed and Sayadi, 2011).
Heavy metals are metals that are non biogradable and are widely distributed in the environment (Campbell, 2006). The fact that they are not detoxified readily or removed by natural processes once they are present in the environment makes them potential environmental pollutants. Environmental pollutions due to heavy metals is usually as a result of human activities that are associated with industrialization, fuel combustion or other reactions driven by temperature and related to vehicular performances (Eruyogho, Okuo and Ndiokwere, 2007). Various metals such as zinc, cadmium, copper, and lead used as additives in fuel are discharged into the air and are carried to soil by rainfall and wind (Kabata and Pendias, 2001). Heavy metals are naturally part of the environment, however, metals such as arsenic , nickel, mercury, cadmium, and lead do not have any known or reported biochemical importance and their appreciable concentration could constitute significant lethal hazards (Seaward, 2004).
The total content of heavy metals in the soil and plant does not necessarily correspond to their bioavailability in the environment. The bioavailability of heavy metal depends on the properties of the soil. Such soil parameters include pH, organic matter content, texture, clay content, sulphate, carbonate, and hydroxide content (Gosh and Singh, 2005). The prominent environmental issue associated with the release and dispersal of industrial wastes produced by manufacturing processes is soil pollution. Controlled and indiscriminate dispersal of wastes from industrial activities, extraction and processing of metaliferous ores, application of sewage sludge to agricultural soil are responsible for the contamination of our ecosystem (Gosh and Singh, 2005). As trace elements, trace metals such as zinc, cobalt, and copper are necessary for maintaining the body physiological processes. However, at higher concentrations, they constitute significant toxicity. Contamination of soils by metals may be wide spread in urban areas due to industrial activities and combustion of fossil fuel. Prolong and indiscriminate exposure to heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, copper, zinc and nickel can cause deleterious health effect to plants and animals (Kabata and Pendias, 2001).
Varieties of inorganic and organic compounds cause pollution of the soil, especially through the action of rainfall. Their decay results to malodorous effect thereby, constituting health hazards (Ogbonna, Igbenije and Isirimah, 2006). The major components of these compounds include heavy metals, hazardous materials and petroleum based products (Eruyogho, Okuo and Ndiokwere, 2007). Organic contaminants are readily biodegraded through soil microbial activities; trace metals on the other hand need immobilization or physical removal because metals at high chemical content are poisonous and can result to physiological damages by free radical formation (Henry, 2000). This may reduce the effectiveness of the land for the growth of plant and also constitute danger to biodiversity. Also, soil plays an indispensable role in biogradation of wastes thus acting as a natural store-house for the intake of ions and as a medium for the restoration of natural vegetation (Seaward, 2004).
Heavy metals present in the air are then transferred into the soil through precipitation and fallout (Jagrati, 2012). Soil pollution with heavy metals can bring about the bioavailability of the metals for plant uptake which can eventually cause harm to human and animals. Heavy metals are the most harmful and insidious pollutants because they are not biodegradable and have the tendency to cause harm beyond a certain level of exposure.
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
The indispensable role played by industrialization in economic and social development of any nation cannot be overstated, hence the assertion that no nation can grow beyond the level of its industrialization (Jonathan, 2010). However this skyrocketing trend in industrialization has not left the environment unpolluted (Onianwa, 2001). Among the various pollutants that are released into the environment through industrial processes and related sources, heavy metals constitute one of the major groups of pollutants. Various researchers have reported a continuous rise in heavy metal content of soil (Iyaka and Kakulu, 2012). The continual rise in the concentration of heavy metal in the environment therefore constitutes a significant problem. From the foregoing, there is an increasing need to monitor the extent of soil contamination by these metals especially the toxic ones around industrial areas.
1.3 Justification of the Study
Kaduna has witnessed influx of people from neighbouring states as capital of Kaduna state. This is due to the concentration of industries in the metropolis. Although much study has been carried on the concentration of heavy metals in soils around industrial areas of various cities, there is still need to continually monitor heavy metal loads on these areas due to changes in production processes and use of materials which could bring about change in heavy metal loads released by these industries to the environment.
In view of this, it is necessary to investigate the concentration of heavy metals in soils around the vicinity of industries in this area. The findings from the study will no doubt provide useful information on rate of mobilization of heavy metals into the environment thus serving as a useful input into the global quantitative inventory of land-based cause of pollution by the metals. The study will accentuate the need for a more constant monitoring of the concentration around industries. It will also facilitate the formulation of more appropriate and reliable guidelines, limitation standards and other environmental management measures within feasible framework. Furthermore, findings from such quantitative study will serve as a baseline data for future monitoring of soils around industrial area of Kaduna and other areas producing similar products.
1.4.0 Aim and Objectives
The aim of this study is to determine the physicochemical properties of the soils and concentration of some heavy metals present in soil around the vicinity of some selected
industries in Kaduna. The above stated aim will be achieved through the following specific objectives:
1. To determine the concentration of heavy metals in soils in the vicinity of the selected industries.
2. To compare the concentration of heavy metal in the soil of the study area with the maximum value allowed by international standards.
3. To ascertain the effect of industrial activities on the physico-chemical properties of the soil in the study area.
4. To make recommendations based on findings from the study area.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
DETERMINATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF SOIL AROUND THE VICINITY OF SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN KADUNA METROPOLIS
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