Greener Journal of Physical Sciences

Greener Journal of  Physical Sciences Vol. 2 (4), pp. 117-119, October, 2012.

ISSN: 2276-7851 © 2011 Greener Journals

Research Paper

Manuscript Number: 10041282

 

Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Sewage Sludge Disposal Soils in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria

 

^1*Njoku C., ¹Ngene P.N. and ²Nwogbaga A.C.

 

¹Department of Soil Science and Environmental Management, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053,  Abakaliki

²Department of Crop Production and Landscape Management, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B, Abakaliki

 

*Corresponding Author’s Email: chimarco2001 @ yahoo.com

Abstract:

The objective of this study is to assess sewage sludge disposal sites in Abakaliki Southeastern Nigeria for agricultural utilization with respect to selected heavy metals (Sn, Cu, Fe and Zn). Soil samples were collected at 0 -30 cm depth from A - Excreta disposal site, B – Urine disposal site, C – Wastewater disposal site and D – Control (Non-disposal site) and analysed for selected heavy metals (Sn, Cu, Fe and Zn). The data collected was analyzed using standard error of the mean. Results showed higher values of heavy metals in sewage sludge disposal sites than non-disposal site and all the heavy metals observed are within the normal range in soils. Thus, the agricultural utilization of sewage sludge is not limited by heavy metals content of sewage sludge since the values of heavy metals observed in this study are within the normal range in soils.
 
Key Words: Agriculture, dumpsite, heavy metal, sewage sludge, utilization.

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