Assessment of the Chemical Parameters and Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil in Selected Locations in Okene Town, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Soil samples were collected from selected locations in Okene town, Kogi State. The research assessed the chemical parameters including pH, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, and phosphate from soil samples collected from selected locations in Okene town, Kogi State, Nigeria in January –             October 2023.  The parameters were evaluated using appropriate pollution indices, to report the levels of the chemical parameters in the soil. The results revealed that the mean value of pH of the soils ranged between6.90±0.45-6.40±2.12, chloride ranged between 60.50±37.48-4.95±0.07, nitrate ranged between 50.10±1.27-9.20±1.70, sulphate ranged between 630.00±70.71-225.00±77.78 and phosphate 4.00±5.66-0.00±0.00.This research showed that the soil in these locations do not have any potential to harmed  living organisms. The results further indicate that the soils from the sampling sites need to be monitored frequently to forestall good health and prevent further contamination. However, the mean concentration of Zn ranks the highest while Cu has the lowest value. Geo-accumulation factor (Mn 1.08 – Cu 2.02), Contamination factor (Mn 12.11 – Cu 104.90), Pollution Load Index (Mn 0.20 – Zn 3.64) and Ecological risk factor (Mn 0.20 – Cu 16.17) for heavy metals had values above maximum permissible limits of FAO/WHO indicating the soil in workshops were heavily contaminated. Therefore, this research suggested that frequent test should be carried out regularly to avoid further contaminations.