Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soil of Automobile Workshops in Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria
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Abstract
Heavy metals contamination in soil is of concern due to food safety issues and possible health risks. This study aimed at assessing the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in soil of five (5) automobile workshops in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria (FCT). Soil samples were collected between September 2016 rainy season and March 2017 dry season. Heavy metals concentrations in soil were quantified using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. In dry season, the concentration of heavy metals (mg/kg) in soil samples ranged from 0.29±0.00 - 0.58±0.00 for Cd, Cr: 1.45±0.00 – 4.81±0.02, Cu: 0.76±0.00 – 2.96±0.00, Fe: 651.43±0.01- 682.61±0.02, Mn: 14.81±0.00 - 26.24±0.00, Ni: 2.11±0.00 - 3.18±0.00, Pb: 2.81±0.00 - 10.94±0.00 and Zn: 11.93±0.00 - 35.36±0.00. However in wet season, the levels ranged from 0.07±0.00 -0.29±0.00 for Cd, Cr: 1.06±0.00 - 1.45±0.00, Cu: 0.35± 0.00 - 1.68± 0.00, Fe: 534.41±0.00 - 549.28±0.01, Mn:9.90±0.00 - 31.59±0.00, Ni: 0.87±0.00 - 2.22±0.00, Pb: 2.34±0.00 - 5.00±0.00 and Zn: 6.19±0.01- 32.06±0.00. Iron had the highest level of concentration while cadmium recorded the lowest in the soil. Heavy metal concentrations were higher in dry season than in rainy season. The levels of heavy metals obtained were within WHO1 permissible limits for soil.