Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals Concentration in Abattoir Dumping Site Soil in Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment of seasonal variation in concentration of the heavy metals-Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn-in Abattoir dump site soil at Yauri, Nigeria, was undertaking during the two major seasons of Nigeria. This was done to determine the environmental pollution status of the soil at the dump site. Soil samples (0-15cm) collected during the 2007/2008 rainy and dry seasons were treated and digested using microwave acid digestion methods. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean levels range of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 13.2-30.02mg/kg, 59.14-102.50mg/kg, 59.32-96.13mg/kg, 2569-4130mgkg, 263.01-608.11mg/Kg, 36.21-107.13mg/kg, 15.60-30.09mg/kg and56.31-92.50mg/kg for dry seasons and 10.13-22.76mg/kg,49.96-89.46mg/kg,49.12-73.08mg/kg,23330.02-3671.14mg/kg,249.72-561.03mg/kg,33.50-99.06mg/kg,16.20-28.11mg/kg, and 50.91-89.10mg/kg for wet season respectively. The analytical results indicated that in both wet and dry seasons some metals concentrations were above the literature levels of a typical soil, which course for concern. @ JASEM Concern over the possible ecological effect of the increasing accumulation of metallic contaminants in the environment is growing. For this reason, the investigation of heavy metals in soil is essential since even slight changes in their concentration above the acceptable levels, whether due to natural or anthropogenic factors, can result in serious environmental and subsequent health problems. (Fangueiro et al, 2002, Sandroni and Smith 2002, Cobelo-Garcia et al, 2004). Heavy metals is a general collective term which applies to the group of metals and metalloids with atomic density greater than 4 g/cm 3 or 5 times or more, greater than water (Huton and Symon, 1986; Battarbee et al.