Assessment of Effect of Cement Dust from Cement Factory on Elemental Properties of Some Cultivated Crops, Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of cement dust pollution on cultivated crops in Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria. Plant samples used were obtained directly from cultivated lands in Obajana closed and far away from the cement industry within the community. The 12 plant samples collected were analyzed at Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. Mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variability and T-test were used in analyzing the data. The results revealed that except in the case of potassium concentration (2.21) the maize controls site nitrogen (1.01) and phosphorus (0.23) concentrations are higher than the polluted site (0.21 and 0.15 for nitrogen and phosphorus respectively). Results also showed that the 3 element (nitrogen (0.784), phosphorus (0.38), and potassium (2.42) concentrations studied in the cassava plant of the polluted site were higher than those obtained in the control site with 0.31, 0.36 and 1.83 for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It was concluded that there was significant difference in the elemental properties of maize potassium only but in other elements and in cassava plant there was no significant difference. Dusts emitted from the factory have affected the elemental properties of maize and cassava farm lands that are proximate to the cement factory in the study area. The study recommends that the propone 5th plant by the cement company operating in the study area should be diverted to another settlement in order to boost agricultural produce from Obajana community.