Impact of Metals Scrap Yard on the Presence of some Heavy Metals Concentration within Gombe Metropolis, Gombe State, Nigeria, using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

The Metal scrap yards play a crucial role in the recycling and reuse of metals, contributing significantly to the economy and conservation of natural resources. However, the processing and storage of metal scraps can lead to the release of heavy metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium, into the environment. The presence of heavy metals in metal scrap yards poses a significant risk to nearby communities, workers and the environment, also causing air and water pollution, soil contamination, and health problem. Study of impact of metals scrap yard on the presence some of some heavy metals in soil samples was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). Top soil sample were collected from eight metals scrap yards and their corresponding control areas. One gram (1 g) each of the soil samples was digested and then heated slowly and steadily, the solution appears colorless. The samples were allowed to cool and ready for analysis. The result obtained was, the mean elemental concentration element was of the order ofMn (41.022±41.202)> Cu (4.416±4.274) >Pb (2.685±1.399) > Mg (0.500±10.122) > Cr (0.460±0.187) > Cd (0.125±0.027) > Co (0.04±0.000)> Ni (0.000±0.000). The comparison of the elemental concentration of the heavy metals of (Mn, Mg, Cu, Pd, Cr, Cd, Co and Ni) in the study area ware shows the metal scrap yard has impact in the presence of heavy metals in soil. In addition, the Contamination factor (CF), and Pollution load index (PLI) of each trace element in soil of the study area and their respective control area were all < 1 which implies that they all have low contamination factors, less polluted and low contaminated.