POTENTIAL ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT OF TOXIC METALS IN SOIL

ABSTRACT

Soil contamination by toxic metals poses significant environmental and public health risks due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity. This study evaluates the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in soils around rock processing facilities in Auchi and its environs. A total of 60 soil samples were collected from depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) to determine the concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Co. Various pollution indices, including the Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), were used to assess the extent of contamination and ecological risks. The results indicate that cadmium (Cd) poses the highest ecological risk, with PERI values categorizing the study area as having moderate to considerable environmental risk. The presence of heavy metals in the soil raises concerns about potential health hazards through exposure pathways such as ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. This study underscores the need for effective soil remediation strategies and regulatory measures to mitigate the long-term environmental and health impacts of heavy metal contamination in the region.