Measurement of Levels of Concentrations of Some Heavy Metals in Soils of Some Selected Areas of Pindiga, Nigeria

Abstract

The population health risk due to heavy metal exposure has been
becoming serious and worldwide environmental issue that has
attracted considerable public attention. In this study, the level of
heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Fe, As and Pb) in soil samples were determined
using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer methods (AAS) to assess
heavy metals contamination of soil due to mining activities around
Gombe, Nigeria. The results obtained showed that the highest
concentrations of 96.7271±2.770 mg/kg for Fe were observed in
Unguwar Baka I, 25.5355±1.782 mg/kg for Pb were observed in
Unguwar Baka I, 21.9673±2.047 mg/kg for Cr were observed in
Tumu, 12.9675±1.969 for Cd were observed in Unguwar Baka I and
0.5782±0.025 mg/kg for As were observed in Unguwar Baka. In all
the sampling locations, the levels of heavy metals in soil samples
measured have the variation pattern in the order: Fe > Cr > Pb > Cd
> As. The levels of the Fe, Cr, Pb, Cd, and As are higher than the
World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits in soil. This
indicates that their concentration in the soil had the higher capability
to pose severe health risk to the community of that area. This
information will contribute to awareness of the potential impacts of
heavy metals pollutants around the mining area of Gombe state.