Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soil Around Automobile Workshops in Wukari, North East Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32350/sir.102.02Keywords:
automobile workshop, Geo-accumulation index (Igeo), heavy metals, soilAbstract
One of the increasingly major source of heavy metal pollution in developing countries like Nigeria, where environmental regulations are poorly enforced is automobile repair activities. In this study, soil samples collected from different automobile workshops in Wukari local government in Taraba State, Nigeria to assess the heavy metal (Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn) concentration. Eight sampling points were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and standard aqua regia digestion and the results were compared against the World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits and a control value. The study shows a significant increase in the metal concentration for iron and lead in soils around high-traffic workshop zones. The five heavy metals, from the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) are within the unpolluted to moderately polluted category. The metal with the highest Igeo value at 0.38 is lead (Pb), which suggests that the presence of lead in the soil around the selected automobile workshop is more elevated compared to the other metals. The lowest is copper (Cu) with Igeo value of 0.04, which indicate the least level of contamination. Although the observed values for all the metals are within WHO standard limits, the continuous deposition of these metals in the soil around the soils around automobile workshop raises concerns about long-term soil health and potential risks to surrounding communities.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ugochukwu Onyenze, Emmanuel Joy Enogbe, Otuokere Ifeanyi Edozie
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