Assessment of Heavy Metals in Roadside Soil along Gamboru Ngala Road, Borno State, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue XI, November 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Roadside Soil along Gamboru Ngala Road, Borno State, Nigeria

Aida Mohammed Kajima*, Babagana Kolo, Jamila Musa Amshe

 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract: This study was aim at assessing the level of pollutants in agricultural environment along Gamboru Ngala in Borno state of Nigeria. Soil samples of varying depth, were collected in five LGA along Gamboru Ngala Road, Borno state. At each of the sample sites, roadside soil were collected for a period of three months, at different distance from the edge of the main road 30, 60 and 90metre as well as varying depth of 0-5cm, 5-10cm and 10-15cm respectively, 200 metres serves as control points. heavy metals were determine using Perkin-Elmer Analyst 300 Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The concentration of all the metals in the five sampling sites decreased exponentially with distance from the road and drooped to the level at about 90metres. Similarly, mean concentration of Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn were significantly higher around Jere, Mafa and Dikwa L.G.A than in Marte and Ngala L.G.A. The mean concentration of heavy metals in soil sample for different location was showed significantly in manganese (1.6011mg/kg), chromium (4.1106mg/kg), zinc (1.9127mg/kg) and copper (1.3069mg/kg).

Keywords: Heavy Metals; Roadside Soil

I. INTRODUCTION

Soil is a natural body which comprise of solids minerals and organic matter, liquid and gases that occur on the land surface, occupy space, and is characterized by one or both of the following; horizons, or layers, that are distinguishable from the initial material as a result of additions, losses, transfers and transformations of energy and matter or the ability to support rooted plants in a natural environment (Chatsworth, 2008). Organic matter is an organic compounds obtained from the remains of living organisms such as plants, animals and their waste products in the environment. Organic matter is present throughout the ecosystem. After degrading and reacting, it can then move into soil and mainstream water via water flow. Organic matter forms molecules that contain nutrients as it passes through soil and water. It provides nutrition to living plant and animal species (James et al., 2004).

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