Assessment of some heacy metals in soils associated with automobile activities in selected areas of Gombe, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined the levels of heavy metals in soils associated with automobile activities in three different sites within Gombe metropolis. Top soil samples were collected from two locations at each sampling site using standard method. The samples were digested and analysed for heavy metals (As, Cr and Ni) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The concentration of heavy metals ranged from 0.96 - 1.95 mg/kg at A site, 0.89 - 2.11 mg/kg at B and 0.98 - 2.0 mg/kg at C for Cr, and 1.06 - 2.11 mg/kg at A site, 0.98 - 1.89 mg/kg at B and 0.95 - 0.98 mg/kg at C for Ni while the concentration of As was below detectable limit in all the study sites. The mean concentrations of the metals were compared with that of Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR, 2002) Standard values for Nigerian soil and that of World Health Organization (WHO, 1996). All the concentration of the metals studied were found to be below the DPR and WHO target values. Results of contamination factor (Cf) showed that all the studied sites fall under class 1 low contaminated one with Cr and Ni being found with values greater than one. The values of Pollution Load Index obtained from these three sites (PLI <1) were less than 1 in all the studied sites, thus indicating perfection. Keywords: Assessment, Automobile, Digestion, Heavy metal, Site