ANALYSIS OF HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATION IN SOIL AFFECTED BY PETROLEUM PRODUCTS FROM MECHANIC VILLAGE IN KEFFI NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This paper discussed soil properties, heavy metals and their concentration in the soil samples from two selected areas of auto mechanic workshops and the University campus at a depth of 0-15cm. 5g of soil from each of the four samples collected, was crushed with mortar and pestle and diluted into liquid with HNO3 & HCI using X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). The result revealed the control soil had more sand percentage of (67%) and moisture (5.30%) than the affected soil and other physicochemical properties higher in the affected soil sample than the control soils sample. pH'(H20) (6.6), pH (CaCI2) (5.7) CEC (9.1 mol/kg), OM, (5.6%), Clay (3.97), PSD (7.2 mg/kg). Concentration of heavy metals revealed that Si (12423.707), Al (8855.606), Mg (4405.253), Ca (1777.265) & ti (1794.039) were in the control sample. In the affected sample, Fe (4837.824±), P (268.227j, Cl (133.350), Ni (10.576), Cu (10.938), Co (21.307), Zn (129.885), Mn (141.365), Sr (3598.444) & S (1413.349). The high concentration of heavy metals jn the mechanic village will adversely affect the plants and animals in the area. It carf'^isp!-.result in damage of nervous system, kidney, skin irritation and hypertension:’"It was'''recommended that substances containing heavy metals should not be disposed in farm lands or any dumpsites close to residential areas.