The impact of cement kiln dust on soil Physico-chemical properties at Gboko, east central Nigeria

Abstract

The effects of cement kiln dust on selected soil physico-chemical properties after 25 years of cement production by the Benue cement factory in Gboko, Nigeria were evaluated by comparing the cement-dust affected soils with non-affected soils. The study showed that at both soil depths of 0-20 and 20-40 cm exchangeable calcium, sodium, hydrogen, magnesium as well as soil organic matter, were significantly higher in the affected soils than in the non-affected soils, the former depth at P≤ 0.05 and the latter at P≤ 0.01. Data from the four representative soil profiles also indicated that some of the soil properties were enhanced by the cement dust. The study also showed that the highest quantity of the cement dust obtained in the farm plot was 0.72t/ha/yr, a quantity too negligible to cause any negative effects on soils and crops. Thus, presently the cement dust from the factory enhanced the majority of the selected properties of the soils and may manifest positively on crop performance around the area in future hence if properly harnessed may contribute to soil fertility management in the affected soil areas.