Lead in a Nigerian savanna soil under long-term cultivation.

Abstract

Concern about heavy metal accumulation in agricultural soils under long-term application of phosphate fertilizers and organic wastes makes investigation of heavy metals in agricultural soils imperative. This study examines the total, available and chemical forms of lead (Pb) in a savanna soil after 50 years of continuous cultivation and application of NPK fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM). Total Pb concentration ranged from 28 to 42 mg kg(-1) over 2-3 times more than the average Pb concentration of non-polluted soils worldwide. Available Pb was, however, less than 2 mg kg(-1) indicating that Pb in the soils was largely insoluble. There were no detectable concentrations of water soluble and organically-bound Pb fractions. On average, residual Pb accounted for over 80% of total Pb. Compared to the natural site, cultivation and fertilization with NPK and FYM increased total Pb concentration by 19 and 17%, respectively, or, on mass basis, by 10 and 35 kg ha(-1), respectively, after 50 years. Soil Pb showed strong linear relations with sand fraction and inorganic phosphorus in the soils. Thermodynamic equilibrium relations provided some indirect evidence that the control on soluble Pb appeared to be chloropyromorphite [Pb5(PO4)3Cl], an insoluble lead phosphate mineral.