Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Level in Farmland along OPM- Aluu Dumpsite in Ikwerre LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The assessment of some heavy metal levels in farmland along OPM –ALUU dumpsite near Port-Harcourt was carried out using soil auger and an Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The samples collected from site Allu 1 and Aluu 2 representing farmland near the dumpsite and control soil, respectively. The results obtained showed lead (Pb) 97.5mg/kg, Arsenic (As) 29.5mg/kg, cadmium (Cd) 0.82mg/kg, Copper (Cu) 37.2mg/kg, Zinc (Zu) 64.8mg/kg, Chromium (Cr) 108.5mg/kg, Manganese (Mn) 58.3mg/kg and Nickel (Ni) 31.0mg/kg. These results are all higher than the world Health organization (WHO) limits, apart from Nickel (Ni) that is lower than the limit. Similarly, all the results were found to be higher above the control soil, apart from cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni), which were not detected. Base on these results, we conclude that the site is polluted with heavy metals, and should be abandoned for farming activities. Similarly, people already farming in this area should be discouraged and made to go for routine medical exercise to ascertain the level of heavy metals in their body system. Finally, further studies using other analytical equipment, such as chromatographic techniques, should be used apart from Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer, to authenticate our report.