Ameh E.G., Daniel A., Odoma A.N., Imeokparia E.G.
Earthsciences Department, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria; Geology Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria
Ameh, E.G., Earthsciences Department, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria; Daniel, A., Earthsciences Department, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria; Odoma, A.N., Earthsciences Department, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria; Imeokparia, E.G., Geology Department, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin, Nigeria
Fourteen soil samples distributed evenly around the factory were collected in February 2009 during the dry season. The samples were analysed for major cations and heavy metal concentrations to investigate the impact of cement production on soil. The factory has been operational for seven (7) years. The enrichment factor (EF) observed in all sampled points are in this order: Ni > Cu > Pb>Cd> Zn>Fe and only at Obj 08 was significant enrichment observed with respect to Fe. Contamination factor (CF) also indicates average trend of the heavy metals in this trend: Ni>Cu>Pb>Zn>Cd>Fe. The present study shows Ni to be significantly enriched/considerably contaminated in twelve out of the fourteen sites while Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Fe revealed depletion to minimal enrichment/ low to moderate contamination in most sites. Few sites have higher enrichment/contamination. The Igeo index for Ni at four sites show moderate to unpolluted while other heavy metals from the rest locations show background concentration to unpolluted. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicates that all sites have experienced progressive deterioration except Obajana 08. The heavy metal concentrations recorded are a reflection of the current industry operations and preventive control measures are recommended. This results would serves an eye opener to the communities, operators and the regulating organs on necessary steps to take in order to reduce these observed impacts. © Research India Publications.
Background value; Contamination factors; Enrichment factors; Factor-cluster analysis; Index of geoaccumulation; Obajana; Pollution loads; Cluster analysis; Contamination; Copper; Lead; Soil cement; Soil surveys; Zinc; Soil pollution; cation; concentration (composition); enrichment; geoaccumulation index; heavy metal; industrial emission; pollution control; soil pollution; trend analysis; Nigeria