Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment of Soil Samples from Vicinities of Dumpsites in Residential and Selected Industrial Layouts in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess the ecological and human health risk assessment of soil samples from the vicinity of dumpsites in residential and selected Industrial layouts in Benue State.The physicochemical parameters of the samples, namely, pH, electrical conductivity, 3 NO -, 3 4 PO -, hardness, and particle size for soil samples were investigated.Heavy metal concentrations were analyzed using AAS.SEM images of industrial waste soils show a regular assemblage of particles.The XRD result analysis predominantly revealed the sample contained of quartz (89%), cordierite (7%) and kaolinite (4%) in Fertilizer Dumpsite Soil Sample (FDSS); quartz (83%), gypsum (12%), Hydrophite (4%) and calcite (1%) in Battery Dumpsite Soil Sample (BDSS); quartz (74%), microcline (17%), albite (6%) and kaolinite (3%) in Paint Dumpsite Soil Sample (PDSS); quartz (51%) and oligoclase (49%) in Dye Dumpsite Soil Sample (DDSS) and quartz (92%) and albite (8%) for the control sample.The XRF shows key elemental compositions as Sr, Zr, K, Ti, Rb, Mn, Cu and Fe for FDSS; Pb, Sr, Zr, Fe, Ca, Ti, Y, and Zn for BDSS; Fe, Zr, Ca, Zn, Ti, Sn and Pb for PDSS; Fe, Sr, Zr, Ca, Cu, Pb, Sn, Zn and Ti for DDSS and Sr, Zr, K, Rb, Mn, Cu and Fe for the control sample.The mean concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn, Mn and Cu in the soil samples were 2.39 ± 0.004, 3.05 ± 0.002, 2.21 ± 0.002, 0.121 ± 0.001, 0.115 ± 0.006, 0.481 ± 0.001 and 0.262 ± 0.003 mg/Kg respectively.The result showed that majority of the heavy metals were below the WHO permissible limit except Pb and Cr.The geo-acumulation index, contamination factor, enrichment factor and ecological risk index showed different levels of pollution of the metals in the various sampling points.The results How to cite this paper: Mnenga, B.