ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS OF SOILS AROUND HOSTELS IN BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY, MAKURDI, NIGERIA

Abstract

The physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations of soil samples collected behind various hostels in Benue State University, Makurdi were analyzed and results compared to FAO standards. The hostels used for the study were boys’ hostel (First Camp), girls’ hostel (First Camp), girls’ hostel (Second Camp) and boys’ hostel (Second Camp). The physicochemical parameters analyzed were pH, temperature, nitrate concentration, electrical conductivity, organic matter content, phosphate levels, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) while the heavy metals were Pb, Cu, As and Cd. Results of these analyses showed that pH was in the range of 6.90 - 8.25, temperature (30.20–30.30 ^oC), conductivity (174.00–795.50 µScm^-1), organic matter (72.66–89.12 %), CEC (23.82–37.14 cmol/kg),  (0.069–0.281 mg/L), (0.89–0.92 mg/L). The concentrations of the heavy metals (in mg/kg) were: Pb (23.7250 - 23.7250), Cd (27.6600 - 29.0200), As (0.7750-0.8450), Cu (62.1200 -78.3300). These results proved that the soils around these hostels are not contaminated as all the parameters measured were found to be within the permissible limit set by FAO.  The results of this study showed that the soil around the hostels were not contaminated since most the studied parameters were within the accepted limit set by the FAO/WHO hence does not pose health risk.