Abstract
An imbalance in the environment’s composition leads to significant effect on human activities such as farming. Of importance are heavy metals which are introduced anthropogenically or naturally. This calls for environmental monitoring and subsequent remediation if needed. An environmental monitoring exercise was conducted on Ikwo soils of Ebonyi State, eastern Nigeria with the aim of determining concentration levels for possible remediation. A total of 18 soil composite samples taken at 0–50 cm below soil surface from fallowed and cultivated soils not fertilized were subjected to heavy metal analyses and fertility indices like: organic matter (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), % total nitrogen (%TN), organic carbon (OC), and salinity. A correlation at 95% confidence level between geo-accumulations (Igeo) of the various heavy metals with salinity, OM, and CEC of the sampled soils reveals that Igeo could be a contributing factor to the fertility status of the soils. With the aid of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES), the distribution pattern was determined as Mn> Fe> Zn>Cu> Mo> Cd> V>Hg>Ti> Ni>Bi> Pb> Co>Ag>Au> Cr>Pd>Pt. The Igeo of the heavy metals in the study area varied from heavily to extremely contaminated levels. A remediation exercise was recommended on Ikwo soils due to their high salinity level and low CEC.
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Acknowledgements
The authors appreciate Oje Obinna of Environmental Toxicology and Gregory Osikakwe Ph.d of the Department of Geology, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria, for their contribution to the success of this work.
Funding
This research work is financed by Nigeria Tertiary Education Trust Fund for year 2015 through the collaboration of Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Nigeria.
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Tyopine, A.A., Jayeoye, T.J. & Okoye, C.O.B. Geoaccumulation assessment of heavy metal pollution in Ikwo soils, eastern Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 190, 58 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6423-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6423-3