Metal Distribution along the Major Roads of Trans-Amadi Industrial Complex Port Harcourt, Nigeria
P. E. Omuku *
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
H. O. Abugu
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
S. C. Edeme
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
U. C. Umeobika
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Topsoil samples were collected along six major roads within Trans-amadi industrial complex within the period of April to May. The pH of the soil had a range of 7.2 to 8.1, while moisture content had a range of 0.3% to 0.9%. Fe was seen to have higher concentration in all the soil samples with the highest concentration (0.231 mg/kg) which was found in Slaughter road. Cd recorded the least concentration (0.002 mg/kg) in Ahiramakara road. Fe > Mg > Zn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd, Fe > Mg > Zn > Cd > Cr > Pb >Ni, Fe > Mg > Cr > Pb=Cd > Ni, Fe > Mg > Zn > Cd > Ni > Cr > Pb, Fe > Mg > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cr > Cd > Pb, Fe > Mg > Zn > Cr > Cd > Pb > Ni were the observed trend in the total metal concentration for Ahiramakara, Nkpogu, Elekahia, Peter Odili, Slaughter and Incar roads respectively. Mg was discovered to be the most Bioavailable metal (65.61%), while the least bioavailable metal was Pb (29.00%). There was no significant difference in the result at 95% confidence interval in almost all the fractions. Most of the metals in the soil samples were distributed within the residual, Carbonate and reducible fraction except for Fe which was mostly distributed in the water soluble fraction.
Keywords: Speciation, discharge, channels, soil, fractions, digestion