Patial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In The Soils At Onitsha Urban, Anambra State, Southeastern, Nigeria
Ozoko Daniel Chukwuemeka
Department of Geology and Mining, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu, Nigeria
Obibuzor Vitalis Chidozie
Department of Geology and Mining, Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Agbani, Enugu, Nigeria
Keywords: Ontisha, heavy metals, kriging, soil, spatial distribution
Abstract
The environmental condition of the soil in Onitsha, Anambra State has been examined by determining the heavy metal concentrations of 50 samples. The study to determine the environmental condition of heavy metals in the soil was conducted using the spatial distribution of the selected heavy metals. The results showed that the concentration values of heavy metals were in the following order Zn>Cr>Cu>Pb>Ni>Cd>As>Co>Hg. In these selected heavy metals, As, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn exceed the values of the natural geological background level of rocks that form the study area. All metals build-up in the soil emanated from human mediated activities such as open dumpsite practices and the domestic effluents spurred by industrial development and rise in population growth.