ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN SOIL AND WATER SAMPLES AT THE KANAWA IRRIGATION SITE, YAMALTU DEBA L.G.A., GOMBE STATE. NIGERIA

Abstract

Background:
The concentration of heavy metals and the physicochemical characteristics of soil and water samples from the Kanawa irrigation site were evaluated in this study.
Methods:
The physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods, whereas the heavy metal content of the soil and water samples was measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
Results:
The allowable limit and the mean average of all the physical parameters are: Salinity value was (1.02%) and Permissible Limits PL were 2–5, turbidity value was (14.798m) and PL were 1–5, pH value was (6.46) and PL were 6.5–8.5, electric conductivity value was (463.798 µS/cm) and PL are 100–500, total dissolve solid (230.332 mg/l) and PL were 250–500, The overall hardness value was 184.4 mg/l caco3 eqv, the total suspended solid value was 179 mg/l, and the PL was 500. The mean average values of the principal anions' chemical characteristics are: Lead (Pb) was measured at 0.0232 mg/l and the PL was 0.005, chromium (Cr) at 0.0433 mg/l and the PL was 0.005, Nickel (Ni) at 0.09918 mg/l and the PL was 0.1, Cadmium (Cd) at 0.00396 mg/l and the PL was 0.005, Copper (Cu) at 0.05338 mg/l and the PL was 1.5, Iron (Fe) at 0.33146 mg/l and the PL was 0.3, and aspartic (As) at 0.00986 mg/l and the PL was 0.005. In soil samples, the mean average values were compared to the PL as follows: the PL was 73.3 for copper (Cu) and 0.46518 mg/kg for cadmium (Cd); the PL was 0.2 for cadmium (Cd) and 0.24381 mg/kg for chromium (Cr); and the PL was 100 for nickel (Ni).
Conclusion:
The findings indicate that the physiochemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in soil and water samples at the Kanawa irrigation site do not affect farmlands or the safety of the water for human use.