Abstract
This study examined the seasonal variations in the physicochemical properties of soil around the vicinity of an iron smelting factory in Fashina area, Ile-Ife, with the aim of monitoring the impact on the soil characteristics, nutrient availability and its possible consequence on the surrounding vegetation. Four study plots, each measuring 50 × 50 m were selected around the iron and smelting Factory. Soil samples were collected randomly and analysed during the rainy and dry seasons at a depth of 0-20 cm, representing the top soil using soil auger. The soil samples were analysed for particle size, soil texture, pH and availability of some basic soil nutrient such as nitrogen, organic carbon, potassium, phosphorus, etc. The study revealed that the physicochemical properties of soil in focus varied across the plots, which may be a consequence of the gradient created by the citing of iron smelting factory, but the data obtained did not significantly varied within the seasons. Furthermore, high organic matter was recorded in all the plots under study; this might be due to the fact that the study area was rich in clay. More clayey soils generally tend to contain higher levels of organic matter, mainly because of the tendency of clays to slow down microbial degradation of organic matter, as clays form clay-humus complexes with organic matter. Also, the heavy metal distribution varied within the two seasons, as most of the metals showed high level of concentration in the rainy season.
Highlights
Soil is a natural body, differentiated into horizons of minerals and organic constituents, usually unconsolidated, of variable depth which differs from the parent material below in morphology, physical properties, chemical properties and biological characteristics (Rai, 2002)
More clayey soils generally tend to contain higher levels of organic matter, mainly because of the tendency of clays to slow down microbial degradation of organic matter as clays form clay-humus complexes with organic matter
The study revealed that the physicochemical properties of soil in focus varied across the plots, which may be a consequence of the gradient created by the citing of iron smelting factory, even though the data did not significantly vary within the dry and rainy season
Summary
Soil is a natural body, differentiated into horizons of minerals and organic constituents, usually unconsolidated, of variable depth which differs from the parent material below in morphology, physical properties, chemical properties and biological characteristics (Rai, 2002). Soils are major sources for plant nutrients; their nutrient availability varies during the growing season depending on characteristics such as soil organic matter content, pH and cation-exchange capacity (Cancela et al, 2002; Strahm and Harrison, 2007). Soil properties of terrestrial ecosystems depend upon a variety of abiotic and biotic factors that vary both spatially and seasonally (Peverill et al, 1999). Total ion content, acidity, carbon, total nitrogen and total phosphorous vary on spatial scale in the topsoil. Soil serves a vital function in nature, providing nutrients for plants to grow, as well as habitat for millions of micro- and macro-organisms. Healthy soil enables vegetation to flourish, releases oxygen, holds water and diminishes destructive storm runoff, breaks down waste materials, binds and breaks down pollutants, and serves as the first course in the larger food chain (Marx et al, 1999; Rodriguez-Iturbe, 2000)
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