Physico-chemical parameters of soil in some selected dumpsites in Zaria and its environs

Abstract

Physico-chemical parameters of soil were found to have influence on the availability of heavy metals in plants. pH values recorded in the control site ranges from 7.8 to 9.2 indicating that all the soils studied were alkaline. The control site has a value of 7.16. The conductivity values range from 4.2 x 10^-2 to 4.0x10⁵μScm^-1 . The highest conductivity value was recorded in site B, while site D had the least value. Moisture content in the 10 dumpsites studied ranged from 17.87 to 82.49%. Organic matter contents in the dumpsites ranged from 3.20 to 5.30% and are higher than values obtained for uncontaminated/control site. These higher values may be due to the aging of the dumpsites. The cation exchange capacity values ranged from 132.83(R) to 469.5(G)CmolKg^-1. These values are reasonably high due to the relatively higher conductivity values obtained in the dumpsites and this may also affect the bioavailability of the heavy metals in plants. Correlation analysis revealed that pH, electrical conductivity and moisture content were negatively correlated.

Keywords: Bioavailability, dumpsite, heavy metal, physico-chemical parameter, Zaria