ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SOIL OBTAINED AROUND MARBLE, QUARRIES, AND ENVIRONS, IKPESHI, IGARRA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the levels of heavy metals present in the soil samples obtained from marble quarry at Ikpeshi.  Soil samples were collected from four (4) sampling locations at a depth range of 0 – 10cm and 10cm – 20cm.  Heavy metals (Ag, As, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) were analyzed using X-Ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF).  Findings showed that Fe concentration is very high in the soil and the mean concentration range from 0.016 – 62.03(mg/kg) and it increase in this order: S4 < S3 < S2 < S1.  The mean concentration value of Chromium (Cr) in the soil sample ranges from 0.042 to 1.567(mg/kg) and its highest mean concentration was obtained at S2 and lowest value was obtained at S4.  However, Silver (Ag) is absent and the mean concentration value range from 0 to 0034(mg/kg) which indicates that Silver is absent in the soil samples collected from the study area. Enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index reveal that the study area is not contaminated and is deficient to minimal enrichment.