Seasonal Variations of Heavy Metals Concentration in Abattoir Dumping Site Soil in Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment of seasonal variation in concentration of the heavy metals- Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn- in Abattoir dump site soil at Yauri, Nigeria, was undertaking during the two major seasons of Nigeria. Thiswas done to determine the environmental pollution status of the soil at the dump site. Soil samples (0–15cm) collected during the 2007/2008 rainy and dry seasons were treated and digested using microwave acid digestion methods. The heavy metal concentrations were determined with Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Themean levels range of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were 13.2 - 30.02mg/kg, 59.14–102.50mg/kg, 59.32 –96.13mg/kg, 2569 – 4130mgkg, 263.01 – 608.11mg/Kg, 36.21 –107.13mg/kg, 15.60 – 30.09mg/kg and56.31–92.50mg/kg for dry seasons and 10.13–22.76mg/kg,49.96– 89.46mg/kg,49.12–73.08mg/kg,23330.02– 3671.14mg/kg,249.72– 61.03mg/kg,33.50–99.06mg/kg,16.20–28.11mg/kg, and 50.91- 89.10mg/kg for wet seasonrespectively. The analytical results indicated that in both wet and dry seasons some metals concentrations were above the literature levels of a typical soil, which course for concern.