ABSTRACT

Eleven (11) soil samples were collected and examined for heavy metals to access the level of pollution and its distribution in soils around Ifie Community, Warri South, Delta State, Nigeria. The soils were tested using an Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) machine (model 210 VGP) and six heavy metal parameters were analysed for (Fe,Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu). The following results were obtained: Iron (110.5 - 201.5 mg/kg), Nickel (20.5 - 47.5 mg/kg), Chromium (1 - 23 mg/kg), Lead (1 - 3.5 mg/kg), Zinc (27 - 46 mg/kg), and Copper (8 - 20 mg/kg). The heavy metal distribution pattern identified in this study from highest to lowest is as follows Iron, Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Chromium, Lead, Cadmium. Cadmium was below detection level in all samples. The highest Nickel concentrations were 42 mg/kg and 47.5 mg/kg while the highest Copper concentrations were 46 mg/kg and 45.5 mg/kg. These concentrations were possibly influenced by their proximity to a petroleum tank farm and their location along the main road frequently used by petroleum tankers. The study findings indicate high Nickel and Copper levels, surpassing the World Health Organization's (WHO) target values and high Nickel levels exceeding the CONAMA (2009) prevention values which suggests that the industrial and domestic activities in the area contribute to heavy metal pollution. Englighenment of the residents in the area about the potential impact of heavy metal polution and the need to reduce the rate of  release of heavy metals into the soil is a mitigation strategy suggested because most of the heavy metal values measured falls within national and international target values hence reducing the rate of pollution would reduce potential negative impact.