Determination of Heavy Metals in Soil Samples of Selected Sawmills in Ekiti State, Nigeria
Ajibulu Kehinde Ezekiel *
Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Adefemi Oluyemi Samuel
Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Asaolu Samuel Sunday
Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
Oyakhilome Gloria Irenosen
Department of Chemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The study investigated the impact of sawmill activities in the accumulation of heavy metals in soil around some selected sawmill industries in Ekiti State. Soil samples were collected at 5cm and 20cm depth; at interval of 10m, 20m, 30m, and 40m away from the site. The results obtained showed that the concentration of most of the metals at the different sites were almost similar, depicting that these metals are probably of natural origin with mild contribution from anthropogenic source, since the concentration of the metals decreased with distance from the various site. All metals monitored were detected in the soil samples and the values obtained were within the acceptable International Standards for soil/sediment.
Keywords: Heavy metals, soil, sawmill