EFFECTS OF AUTO-MECHANIC WORKSHOPS ON SOIL STRUCTURE , PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HEAVY METALS IN WOJI AREA OF PORT HARCOURT; IMPLICATIONS FOR AGRICULTURE , ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Abstract

The study examined Impact of auto-mechanic workshops on soil structure , Physico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentration levels in Woji area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State and implications for Agriculture , environment and health.. It used experimental research design and relied on primary data generated through laboratory analysis of soil samples collected at depths 0-30cm from five randomly selected experimental sites and one control. Standard field and laboratory procedures were employed in data collection and analysis. Four specific objectives and three hypotheses guided the study. Data for the four hypotheses were tested using one-sample chi square, ANOVA and two-sample z-test. Ho1 was upheld and implied that there was no significant variations in soil pH across the five experimental sites; pH levels in the soil of the area ranges from 5.2 to 7.1 and a mean occurrence of 6.02 as against 6.2 for the control; soil temperature ranged from 25.7 to 27.40C with a mean of 26.660C as against 26.80C for the control; The soils of the area predominantly sandy particles (87.14%), silt (11.58%), and clay (1.84%). Ho2 was rejected meaning that, there were significant differences in the occurrence of the heavy metals across the five experimental sites; Ho3 was rejected, signifying a significant difference in the levels of the physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals between the control and the mean values from the five experimental sites. The mean values for Iron (Fe) for the five experimental sites were 32.78mg/kg, Nickel (Ni) 23.65mg/kg, Cupper (Cu) 14.17mg/kg, Lead (Pb) 20.62mg/kg, Magnesium (Mg) 11.32mg/kg, Cadmium (Cd) 9.14mg/kg, and Zinc (Zn) 42.28mg/kg.Zinc (Zn) had the highest mean value (42.28mg/kg) while Cadmium (Cd) had the least mean figure of 9.14mg/kg. Whilst in the control, Iron (Fe) was 9.6mg/kg, Nickel (Ni) 4.5mg/kg, Cupper (Cu) 1.6mg/kg, Lead (Pb) 9.47mg/kg, Magnesium (Mg) 33.2mg/kg, Cadmium (Cd) 3.48mg/kg and Zinc (Zn) 12.4mg/kg. It was concluded that the activities of aut mechanic workshops negatively affected the soil structure, physico- chemical properties and heavy metals concentrations negatively and have far reaching effects on agriculture, environment and health Based on the findings, the study recommended thus: proper siting and monitoring of mechanic workshops activities; regular evaluation of the soil to guard against excessive contamination by auto-mechanic workshop activities in the area as well as construction of effective drainage channels.