Determinations of Some Selected Heavy Metals and Elements in Soil of the College’s Farm, College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, North – Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

This study focuses on the ecosystem – ecological, environmental Pedology determined of some selective heavy metals and elements in soil of the college’s farm, College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, Nigeria. Soils were sampled, and collected as described by the method of Ashiq et al, (2013) and analysed by the methods described by AOAC (1990). Results obtained revealed that, the soil sampled found to contained heavy metals and element in moderate amount of mean concentration values in milligrams per gram (mg / g), the element and metals determined were; potassium (K) element had the highest level with the mean concentration of 15 mg / g, and then followed by cadmium (Cd) 9 mg / g, copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) had 1 mg / g each, lead (Pb) had the value of 0.4 mg / g in mean concentration level, while manganese (Mn) had 0.3 mg / g, and finally zinc (Zn) had the mean concentration level of 0.1 mg / g of soil. The magnitude of concentration levels of the heavy metals and elements determined in the soils of the college’s irrigation farm in sequential ascending order was; K > Cd > Cu, Fe and Ni > Pb > Mn > Zn. Also in consideration of their concentration levels in terms of mean percentage (%) amongst the metals and elements determined; K had 54%, Cd had 32%, Fe and Ni had 5% each, Cu had 2%, Mn and Pb had I% each, and finally Zn had 0.5%, i.e. the highest in mean concentration levels was potassium (K), the least was zinc and it is not contaminated by the metals and the elements determined as well respectively. Human activities have dramatically changed the 10 metres position and organization of the soil. The industrial and mining activates in an increased concentration of heavy metals in soil. How plants and soil microorganisms cope with this situation. It is recommended that further study needs to be carried out in order to ascertain, assess and state the heavy metals and elements mean concentration levels in soil of the said study area, and all farms at large.