Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

Volume 14 (1), 21-34, 2021


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Spatial Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Soils Developed on Basaltic and Sandstone Parent Materials

Sunday Marcus Afu, Isong Abraham Isong, Joyce Fidelis Akpan, Denis Micheal Olim and Providence Chinelo Eziedo

Background and Objective: Delineating pollution levels and the ecological risk of heavy metals in agricultural soils are prerequisites for decreasing their pollution load. This study assesses the concentration, pollution loads and ecological risk of heavy metal on soils developed on basaltic and sandstone parent materials in Ikom. Materials and Methods: Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm from soil developed on basaltic and sandstone parent materials, air-dried and sieved through a 2 mm mesh sieve for Physico-chemical and heavy metals analysis. Results: The result indicated that basaltic soil has greater potential for crop cultivation as shown by its fertility indices, pH (5.7), exchangeable Mg (1.94 mg kg–1) and base saturation (82%) when compared with its counterpart sandstone soil, but it was constrained by Pb, Cd and Al contamination. Soil developed on both parent materials except those at Atimaka (14.183) and FGC Ikom (19.201) which had a considerable degree of contamination, other sites were heavily contaminated with Cd. The soil was moderate to extremely severe enriched with Pb at Atimaka (7.869) and Nde (4.984) and moderately to extremely severe enriched with Cd at all locations. The Cd had a very high potential ecological risk in soil developed on both parent materials. Conclusion: From the foregoing, it can be inferred that the studied soils are not currently in a safe state for the cultivation of edible crops and consumption of crops from the soil in these areas over a long time could pose health issues related to Cd and Pb contamination to humans.

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How to cite this article:

Sunday Marcus Afu, Isong Abraham Isong, Joyce Fidelis Akpan, Denis Micheal Olim and Providence Chinelo Eziedo, 2021. Spatial Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Soils Developed on Basaltic and Sandstone Parent Materials. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 14: 21-34.


DOI: 10.3923/jest.2021.21.34
URL: https://ansinet.com/abstract.php?doi=jest.2021.21.34

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