Assessment of Physiochemical Qualities of Soil at Kataeregi Mining Site, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil samples were analysed to determine the heavy metals (pH, Cd, Zn, Ar, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg, Fe and Ni) at Kataeregi mining site, Niger State, Nigeria. Ten soil samples were collected from four soil pits and control site were collected 100 m away from mining site. The results of the analysed soil samples are as follows: Soil pH values of various locations ranged from 6.08 to 8.12 which is indicative of moderately alkaline, Ar values ranged from 4.23 mg/kg to 12.05 mg/kg, Ni values ranged between 4.00 mg/kg and 70.0 mg/kg and is above the standard set for agricultural and human health, Fe ranged from 0.72 mg/kg to 16.03 mg/kg, Hg values ranged between 0.11 and 1.01, Cd values ranged from 4.76 mg/kg to 9.32 mg/kg which is indicative of high concentration of chemical parameters and Cr ranged between 9.89 mg/kg and 27.00 mg/kg. Cu values ranged from 99.78 mg/kg to 111.9 mg/kg while Pb values ranged between 1.0 mg/kg and 6.07 mg/kg and Zn values ranged from 9.91 mg/kg to 13.0 mg/kg. It is observed that concentrations of Ar, Ni, Hg, Cd and Cr are above the CSQG standard while that of Fe is found to be below the standard set by CSQG & WHO and Cu, Pb, and Zn are within the permissible range.