ABSTRACT
This exploration delved into the levels of metal contamination in soils linked to mining operations in Ifon, Ondo State Nigeria. Eight soil samples gathered at locations proximal to mining areas were subjected to analysis via x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). Results revealed that K exhibited the highest concentration in the soil samples compared to other primary cations, showing a decreasing trend as follows: K> Na>Ca. Notably, heavy metals decreased in the following order: Cu>Ag>Mn>Zn>Fe>Pb>Cr>As. Cu exhibited the highest concentration, ranging from 3.96 to 28.43mg/kg, with an average of 19.62mg/kg, while As had the lowest concentration, ranging from 0 to 0.0081mg/kg, with a mean value of 0.0081mg/kg. Findings indicate that the mean concentrations of Cu, Ag, Mn, Zn, Fe, Pb, Cr, and As in all sampling sites fell within the WHO (2007) permissible limits. Cluster analysis results suggested that Fe, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ag, and Mn shared similar sources of contamination attributable to anthropogenic activities. Additionally, findings from correlation analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between Cu and Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn, implying that they originate from similar sources and may travel together. Environmental indices (Geo accumulation index and Enrichment factor) indicated that Cu was heavily enriched, while Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Zn showed deficiencies in soil samples.
