Assessment and quantification of heavy metals in cultivated soils in Kafin Hausa Jigawa State Nigeria using Nigerian research reactor‐1

Abstract

AbstractAnthropogenic activities that cause heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils pose a significant health risk to humans who consume contaminated agricultural foods such as rice and vegetables. The purpose of this study was to access the level of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils in Kafin Hausa by analyzing soil samples from five different sampling sites for heavy metals including aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), and zinc (Zn). A total of 15 soil samples were collected using a soil auger from various locations within Kafin Hausa area, and the concentrations of the collected soil samples were estimated using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique via the Nigeria Research Reactor‐1. The results of the study showed that the mean concentrations of these heavy metals in the sampled soils were within the limits set by the World Health Organization. In addition, pollution indexes such as enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and geo‐accumulation index (Igeo) were adequately determined. The sampling sites were identified to have significant enrichment, except for BR3 which was moderately enriched with Al and Ti, followed by Fe, and had an EF value of 4.87. Mean Igeo values indicated that all the sampling sites were uncontaminated. Furthermore, multivariate statistics revealed a strong positive correlation (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05) among the investigated metals, suggesting that the major sources of those metals are similar.