Open AccessAssessment of Spatial Variability of Heavy Metals (Pb and Al) in Alluvial Soil around Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Southern Nigeria
Author(s) -
H. Uguru,
O. I. Akpokodje,
G. G. Agbi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
turkish journal of agricultural engineering research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2717-8420
DOI - 10.46592/turkager.2021.v02i02.017
Subject(s) - topsoil , delta , alluvium , environmental science , spatial distribution , pollution , spatial variability , hydrology (agriculture) , soil test , heavy metals , soil science , geology , environmental chemistry , soil water , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , chemistry , ecology , statistics , remote sensing , mathematics , biology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Soil heavy metals pollution is a major global threat, because of its impact to plants, animals, and the soil geotechnical properties. Geostatistical method was used to investigate the spatial distributions of aluminum and lead within a section of the Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria. A total area of 1 km2 (100 hectares) was covered within the school environment. Twenty -five (25) topsoil samples were collected, at the end of the dry season (March 2021); when the water table in the study area was very low. The lead and aluminum concentrations of the 25 samples were measured by using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) approved methods. Using a geostatistical tool, the lead and aluminum concentrations and distribution in the soil were plotted on predication maps. The maps revealed irregular spatial distributions of lead and aluminum ions within the study area. The lead concentration was highest at the North-central region of the study area; while lead concentration was lowest at the Eastern region of the study area. In terms of the aluminum metal, the highest aluminum concentration was observed in the North eastern region; while aluminum concentration was lowest at the South western region. Data obtained from this study will be useful for agricultural and civil engineering purposes, mainly in the area of decision-making.