Investigation of metals accumulation in soil dumpsites using proton-induced X-ray emission.

This work was designed to examine the elemental constituents and physiochemical parameters of dumpsites in four local government areas in Ondo State. Elemental composition and physiochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, chloride and nitrate were analyzed in soil samples. The data were analyzed using the windows version 24.0 of the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Odigbo reported the highest mean concentrations in Al, Zn and Co. The highest mean concentrations of metals were Si, K, Cr, S and Y in Okitipupa. Although at Irele P, Fe, Rb, Sr, Bi and Au had the maximum mean concentration, in Control Site, Cl and Mn had an exponential increase in value. The highest value was observed in Ilaje for V, Cu, As, Zr, Sn, Pb. There was significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) in all metals except Sr, Bi and Y, which did not reveal any significant difference in mean concentration. The soil sample values at other sites were greater than the values collected at the control site. This study found that some of the obtained elemental concentrations were higher than the regulatory limits of the Soil-7 International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization. The study also revealed that continuous deposition of the elements in these dumpsites could lead to a threat to human health and to the environment.

Risk assessment and elemental quantification of anthropogenic activities in soil.

One of the significance parts of ecosystem is the soil, and it is often modified due to man activities. The objective of this work examined the extent of occurrence of elements in the soil and also to identify the soil contamination level via enrichment factor (EF) and contamination factor/pollution index. The enrichment value was computed using five elements (Ti, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr) and iron (Fe) as reference element. Scandium (Sc) was not found at hospital dumpsite while arsenic (As) was not found at marketplace. Fe, Ca and K had high concentrations in all locations, ranging from 2651 to 4630 ppm, 2204.67 ppm - 3968.67 ppm and 3649.00 - 4773.67 ppm, respectively. The pollution index value is shown in this order: Ni > Fe > Cu > Cr > Zn > Mn > As an enrichment value in this order: Ni > Se > Cu > V > Zn > Cr > Zr > As > Mn > K > Ca > Rb > Ti > Sr, when Fe was used as a reference element. The overall risk index (RI) in all the locations in the soil was above the edge.

Effect of quarry activities on selected biological resources around quarry site within Onigambari forest plantation, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Quarry activities are creating diverse stress on biological resources in the rural areas where most of them are located globally. In this study, the effect of quarry activities on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) leaves and soils around Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria, were investigated. Soil and samples of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) leaves were collected from two different distances from the quarry plant. Samples used as control were collected within the boundary of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), Oyo State, Nigeria estate. Samples were analysed using proton-induced X-ray emission, to determine the elements. The physiochemical parameters were also analysed in both soil and leaves samples. The mean concentration of the elements in the soil sample from Site 1 was higher in Mg, Cl, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn and Zr than Site 2 and the control site. While in leaves, similar trend was observed. Cd and Ag were highly enriched.