| 10 topsoil samples were collected from Ajakanga area and analyzed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), in order to assess the pollution status and the ecological risk of heavy metals in the soil. Results showed that Cd range from 0.5ppm to 0.7ppm, Cu range from 4.0ppm to 213ppm, Ni ranged from 4.0ppm to 30ppm while Pb range from 6.0ppm to 64ppm. Zn range from 17ppm to 561ppm, As range from 2.0ppm to 3.0ppm, Co ranged from 6.0ppm to 67.0ppm while Cr ranged from 13.0ppm to 88.0ppm. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil is of the order Zn>Cu>Cr>Pb>Co>Ni>As>Cd. All the values of Igeo for Cd, Cu, Ni, As, Co Pb, Zn and Cr fall into uncontaminated to moderately contaminated. The entire content of Ni were derived from natural sources as indicated by EF value of <1.5 while Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Co and Cr have some contributions from anthropogenic sources. The contamination factor range from 0.188 to 2.665. Cu, Ni and Cr have Cif < 1 indicating low contamination, while Cd, Pb, Zn, As and Co Cif range betwen 1< Cif< 3 indicating moderate contamination. Contamination degree calculated for Ajakanga soil is 11.054 indicating moderate degree of contamination. The calculated potential ecological risk index (RI) for the area is 116.9, indicating that the risk of potential contamination of the Ajakanga soil with the current concentration of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Co and Cr is low. |
