ABSTRACT
This study highlights the importance of investigating heavy metals in soil to evaluate potential risks to human health and assess environmental impacts. The study focused on Meke, Edo state and aimed to determine the presence and levels of heavy metals in the soil. The methodology involved collecting A total of twenty two (22) soil samples was collected from (10) sampling locations and a control location situated 2km from the sampling location at depth 0-15cm (topsoil) and 15-30cm (subsurface soil) and the heavy metals in the soil were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The findings revealed significant levels of heavy metals such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Co. The concentrations of these metals in the soil samples followed the order Pb < Cr < Zn < Fe at both depths, with Lead being the least abundant and Iron being the most abundant. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) only PC > 0.8 was accessed which shows high of anthropogenic activities on topsoil and negative loading in subsurface soil. The geoaccumulation indices suggested moderate to significant pollution levels for most metals, particularly in the surface soil, with enrichment observed for Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and to a lesser extent, Cr in the 0-15 cm soil layer. However, Pb, Cd, and Co were found to be deficient compared to natural background levels. In the 15-30 cm layer, enrichment was observed for Pb, Mn, Ni, and Co based on enrichment factor (EF) values, while Zn and Cd showed slight enrichment, and Cu and Cr were deficient compared to background level.
