TITLE:
Environmental Impact of Abandoned Asphalt Production Site on Soil, Water and Vegetables from Near Farmlands
AUTHORS:
A. U. Itodo, M. Ubimago, R. A. Wuana
KEYWORDS:
Environment, Asphalt, Soil, Water, Vegetables, Farmland
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.6 No.4,
April
2,
2018
ABSTRACT: An environmental investigation of soil, water and vegetable around Asphalt production plant for heavy metals; Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni) and Chromium (Cr) was carried out. Their mean concentrations in soil, water and vegetable were Zn (13.84 mg/Kg, 12.949 mg/L and 11.177 mg/Kg), Mg (3.728 mg/Kg, 0.125 mg/L and 21.837 mg/Kg), Cd (0.012 mg/Kg, 0.018 mg/L and 0.028 mg/Kg) and Pb (0.011 mg/Kg). Co, Ni and Cr were not detected. The results of physiocochemical parameters (pH, moisture content (%), conductivity (μS/cm), organic matter (%), organic carbon (%), CEC (cmol/Kg) and soil composition (%)) were all within the permissible limits by NAFDAC and NDWQS. Results of mineral composition of soil include (N (%) of 0.42, K (cmol/kg) 0.32, Na (cmol/kg) 0.28, Mg (cmol/kg) 3.40, Ca (cmol/kg) 3.80, (cmol/kg) 0.46 and (cmol/kg) 0.49); analytical results were within the acceptable range. The chemical parameters investigated for water samples are (Cl- (mg/L) = 1871.20, (mg/L) = 12.60, (mg/L) = 10.20, NH3 (mg/L) = 8.20, DO (mg/L) = 9.40, BOD (mg/L) = 6.40 and COD (mg/L) = 12.80) within agricultural farmlands around the Asphalt production plant. From the analytical results, conductivity (μS/cm), N (%), (mg/L) were significantly different (p which are also the predominant mineral composition in the soil.