Assessing the Impact of Waste Gasoline on the Physicochemical Properties of Soils at Selected Automobile Workshops in Obiaruku, Southern Nigeria
Journal Title: Universal Journal of Environmental Research and Technology - Year 2013, Vol 3, Issue 4
Abstract
The dumping of used gasoline indiscriminately on soils poses a potential threat to the health status of the environment. Physiochemical analyses of the soil to study the impact of waste gasoline from five selected auto mechanic workshops and a control point in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta state southern Nigeria, were carried out at depths of 0-15cm and 15-30cm respectively. The results obtained showed that the pH values varied from depth to depth for each sampled site. Results of metal concentrations were significantly higher than that at the control site (non auto-mechanic site), and had the following mean values: Pb- 10.70 mg/kg; Fe- 1326.35 mg/kg; Cu- 27.27 mg/kg; Zn- 70.47 mg/kg; Cd- 4.95 mg/kg. The metal levels at the control site shows Pb- 0.95 mg/kg; Fe- 999.88 mg/kg; Cu- 13.11 mg/kg; Zn- 23.11 mg/kg; Cd- 2.06 mg/kg. Profile of the heavy metals in the six sites was determined and the observed trend from most of the sites investigated showed that the top soil was more heavily loaded with heavy metals than the subsoil. However, the observed trend in the profile may also be influenced to varying factors such as age of site, type of soil formation and possibly the workload of automobile activities on the sites. This research aimed at assessing the impact of waste gasoline in increasing the concentration level of selected heavy metals on the soils within mechanic workshops in Obiaruku. The study shows that indiscriminate disposal of used gasoline oil on the soil for a long period may lead to increase in heavy metal concentration. Consequently, these metals may creep into our food chain through absorption by vegetation, become bioavailable and subsequently a threat to the ecosystem.
Authors and Affiliations
Ozulu G. U. , Usiobaifo O. B. and Usman A. A.
Keywords
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