CHARACTERIZATION AND MICROBIAL LOAD OF CONTAMINATED SOILS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS WITHIN BENIN METROPOLIS, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

The study carried out characterization and microbial load of contaminated soils and their management implications within Benin metropolis, Edo State Nigeria. The objectives were examine the level of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, pH, organic carbon, bulk density, total porosity, soil texture and soil morphology properties of the soils;evaluate the rate of pollution in the different automobile workshops; assess the effecton microbial activities; assess their impact on arable crops and determine the significant variations of soil in the different automobile shops. Twenty seven(27) soil samples (at the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45 cm soil depths) were collected using systematic random methodology, at distance of 15m apart, from the two auto-mechanic sites and control site. The physicochemical properties of the soils collected were analyzed in the laboratory using standard procedures and data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Results obtained indicated non-significant differences (p > 0.05) inall the soils of the automobile sites and the control respectively . However, there were significant positive and negative relationships among the investigated soil properties. The study concluded that contamination at the automobile sites have impact on the quality of soils. The study provided recommendations for future research effort on soil quality and management implications. This investigation recommended that other empirical inquiries should be carried out in other anthropogenic sites as this will advance further research in soil studies.