ABSTRACT
The effect of cow dung in the environment is hazardous to man when it is disposed of wrongly as it leads to environmental problem and at large scale a global problem. It however can be made beneficial to mankind, reducing its danger. Cow dung sample was obtained from Enyaen cattle market, Benin-city, Edo State, after which the sample was dried, grounded and carbonized (pyrolysis) at a temperature of 400°C to produce biochar, which was characterized on pH, ash content, surface area and tested for metals The result obtained showed that the biochar is alkaline with a pH of 9.05±0.07, it also showed that with further heating, more volatile and organic matters will be removed giving an ash content of 25% indicating the availability of mineral in it. The concentration result obtained for metals like Ca, Cd, Cu, K, Na, Mg, Pb and Zn were 810mg/kg, 0.5mg/kg, 1mg/kg, 15975.65mg/kg, 549mg/kg, 59.5mg/kg, BDL and 117mg/kg respectively, with reasonable amount of minerals present in it which on application to soil, increases its productivity. Its surface area indicates that on application to the soil, it will aid the growth and productivity of the plants, thereby increasing agricultural produce.
