Determination of heavy metals in soils from dump site of tanneries and farmlands in Challawa Industrial Estate Kano,Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals were determined in soil samples at the dump site, Challawa town, Karfi Irrigation site and farmlands near the dump site by flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that soil at the dump site contains significant amount of toxic elements. Hence remediation processes were suggested. The soil samples were analyzed for the presence of Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Fe and Zn. The concentrations were 9.21±0.52ìgg-1 to 3797.33±459. 20ìgg-1for chromium, 0.39±4.96ìgg-1 to 40.65±12.03ìgg-1 for lead, 0.10±0.82ìgg-1 to 1.96±0.82ìgg-1 for  cadmium, 0.36±0.09ìgg-1 to 15.99±5.29ìgg-1 for copper, 13.69±2.03ìgg-1 to 23.32±2.33ìgg1 for zinc and iron concentration was  1165.00±249.53ìgg-1 to 2542.50±208.71ìgg-1.The concentrations of the metals in the soil samples analyzed was found to be in the order  Cr>Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. Heavy metals are known to cause many diseases, and are poisonous even at low concentrations.

Keywords; Heavy metals, Challawa, Karfi , Tanneries ,Soil, and Irrigation.