Soil pollution in two auto-mechanic villages in Benin City, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the level of soil pollution in two auto-mechanic villages in Benin City, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected in the rainy season months of July, 2012 and conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of the physical and chemical parameters. The result revealed that TOC and TOM of the soils in the auto-mechanic village were high and above the level in the control station, indicating the presence of some organic matter and consequently microorganisms involved in biodegradation in these sites. There was also a lower pH which was below the neutral level of 6.5 and higher conductivity values in the auto-mechanic village in comparison with the control which indicates acidity and the presence of soluble inorganic salts. Heavy metal analysis of the soil in the three stations showed the presence Fe, Zn,Mn, Pb,Cu,Cd,Cr, Ni, in the order of decreasing concentration in the soils of the auto-mechanic village all of which were above their concentration in the control soil,WHO and NESREA limit set for the concentration of the metals in soil. This study therefore shows pollution in the soils of the auto-mechanic villages which is due to the wastes generated in the auto-mechanic market.