CHARACTERIZATION OF SOIL SAMPLES WITHIN THE VICINITY OF GSM MAST

ABSTRACT

With the advancement in technology and introduction of Global Mobile Communication services (GSM) into Nigeria, and subsequent acquisition of site for erecting of Mast, this has led to the release of harmful hydrocarbons and heavy metals which are emitted into the environment continuously. This research was designed to characterize the soil samples within the vicinity of GSM mast base stations. The physicochemical analyses on the soil samples were carried out and heavy metals fractionated in different geochemical forms.  pH, bulk density, water holding capacity, total organic carbon and cation exchange capacity were all analysed using standard methods. Heavy metal analysis was done with bulk VGP 210 AAS, The pH had a mean range for the mast vicinity of 6.25 - 6.95 while 30m away from the mast, mean pH ranged from 5.90 - 6.65. Water holding capacity within the vicinity had a mean range of 19 – 38 ml and that of 30m away had a mean range of 18 – 79 ml. Bulk density mean range for within the mast vicinity had a value of 1.25- 47.00 g/cm³ and 30m away had an average mean range of 1.31 - 1.33 g/cm³. The mast vicinity had an average mean range of CEC values of 5.07- 10.13 cmol/kg and 30m away from mast had mean range of 4.75 11.60 cmol/kg and total organic carbon average mean range was from 2.25 - 3.53 % for within the mast vicinity and 1.95 - 3.53 % of 30m away. The textural analysis showed the following average range for sand (72.00 – 79.5 %), clay (15.10 - 20.46 %) and silt (3.71 - 10.30)%.  The heavy metal analyses indicated a gradual decrease in concentration from the mast vicinity to the 30m away but were all higher than the control. Fractionation result showed that Cr, Fe, Zn and Pb were mainly found to be high with the residual fraction while Ni and Cd were found to be high in F₃ and   F₂ fraction respectively. This study has shown that anthropogenic activities within the GSM base stations has lead to elevation of heavy metal presence in all the sample sites. The results indicated that if the operation or activities in the GSM base continue as usual without a change in the operational method, there will be accumulation of some toxic metals in the soil within the vicinity and surrounding areas leading to harmful effects on the environment.