Assessment of Heavy Metals Content in Soil and Groundwater within the Vicinity of Automobile Mechanic Workshops in Yola and Jimeta Towns, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Although heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that are found throughout the earth’s crust, anthropogenic activities such as mechanic workshops are a source of concern for heavy metal contamination. This paper assessed the heavy metals content in soil and groundwater within the vicinity of automobile mechanic workshops in Yola and Jjimeta Towns, Adamawa State, Nigeria using standard methods. Heavy metals were determined using AAS model 210 VGP while pH was determined by electronic JENWAY glass electrode pH meter (Model 3510). Data obtained revealed that, the pH of the sample ranged from 7.52 to 5.19 (provide the average pH levels in the soil and groundwater). From the study conducted, (provide the mean of the heavy metals here) it can be seen that the level of heavy metals found in the soil is in the order of Zn>Ni>Fe>Pb>Cd. While heavy metals found in the ground water of automobile mechanic locations is in the order Ni>Fe>Zn>Cd>Pb. The levels of metals found in the present study were generally below the Department of Petroleum of Petroleum Resources target values for metals in soils.

Keywords

• Heavy metals;
• Soil contamination;
• groundwater contamination;
• mechanic workshops