Artisanal refining and its impact on physicochemical properties of soils in Okporowo, Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Abstract

The research gauged the consequences of the activities of artisanal refineries on topsoil physicochemical properties. Three topsoil samples were taken from geo-referenced stations in the Okporowo community and a control station from Ahoada main town. The different physicochemical properties were examined using basic operating techniques. Mean values of the physical and chemical properties in the topsoil were as follows: Cation exchange capacity (CEC) 6.99±0.003 (meq(+)/g), electrical conductivity 563.75±11.30 μS/cm, pH 4.54±0.24, total organic carbon (TOC) 0.81±0.046%, total nitrogen (TN) 0.069±0.008%, phosphate 0.022±0.91mg/kg, nitrate 0.319±0.148mg/kg and moisture content 21±0.61%. The concentration of the metallic elements evaluated was; Mn 2.00±0.041mg/kg, Cd 0.254±0.008mg/kg, Fe 83.201±0.309mg/kg, Pb 2.93±0.008mg/kg and Cr 4.30±0.005mg/kg. The resultant values of physicochemical properties from Ahoada main town were; cation exchange capacity (CEC) 7.81±0.07 (meq(+)/g), electrical conductivity 280.24±2.00 μS/cm, pH 6.07±0.08, total organic carbon (TOC) 0.75±0.14%, total nitrogen (TN) 0.072±0.002%, phosphate 0.022±0.002 mg/kg, nitrate was 0.332±0.005 mg/kg and moisture content 33±1.19% while the concentrations of the heavy metals were; Cd 1.355±0.005 mg/kg, Mn 2.337±0.03 mg/kg, Fe 67.82±0.003 mg/kg, Pb 4.43±0.007 mg/kg and Cr 3.39±0.006mg/kg. The resultant values of the physical and chemical properties of topsoil from contaminated stations displayed a departure from the values of local and international regulatory bodies due to the anthropogenic inputs from the activities of the artisanal refineries. This implies that samples of topsoil analyzed in this study were slightly contaminated. Thus, the government should checkmate the activities of the artisanal refineries to mitigate the deleterious effect on the environment.