ABSTRACT
Gully erosion is the most striking erosion type, which has been recognized as one of the major global environmental problems. Hence this study assessed the physiochemical and heavy metal properties of gully erosion site in Evbhomore Community, Benin City, Edo State. Water and soil samples were collected into sterile plastic container to avoid additional contamination before taken to the laboratory for physicochemical and heavy metal analysis following standard procedures. Physicochemical characteristics of soils samples showed that clay ranged from 24.00 ± 1.92 - 36.00 ± 2.96 %, silt (24.00 ± 1.92 - 33.00 ± 2.83 %), sand (33.00 ± 2.83 - 51.00 ± 3.89 %). pH ranged from 6.70 ± 0.50 - 7.88 ± 0.93, organic matter (0.91 ± 0.37 - 2.00 ± 1.00 %), organic carbon (0.51 ± 0.25 - 0.89 ± 0.37 %) and total nitrogen (0.01 ± 0.00 - 0.05 ± 0.00 %). Electrical conductivity ranged from 4.12 ± 1.45 - 4.81 ± 0.36 µS/cm, available phosphorus (150.00 ± 5.00 - 180.00 ± 5.74 mg/kg), total exchangeable bases (1.60 ± 0.42 - 1.99 ± 0.69 cmol/kg), calcium (1.20 ± 0.15 - 1.22 ± 0.17 mg/kg), magnesium (0.40 ± 0.00 - 0.51 ± 0.10 mg/kg), sodium (0.02 ± 0.00 - 0.05 ± 0.00 mg/kg) and potassium (0.04 ± 0.03 - 0.08 ± 0.00 mg/kg). In soil samples, cadmium values ranged from 0.16±0.13 - 0.30±0.13mg/kg, Lead (1.26 ± 0.33 - 3.50 ± 0.51mg/kg), Zinc (25.12 ± 2.82 - 79.02 ± 3.29 mg/kg), Copper (27.89 ± 2.49 - 63.08 ± 3.68 mg/kg), Iron (191.16 ± 5.07 - 212.16 ± 5.92 mg/kg) and Manganese (10.80 ± 0.49 - 18.00 ± 0.81 mg/kg). The results obtained from this study indicate the presence of pollutants in the soil, air and water samples analysed in the study. This could be attributed to the anthropogenic activities (agriculture, cattle rearing, logging, drilling of borehole, construction of high storey building and digging of borrow pits) of the Evbhomore people. If these activities are not regulated, it may results to a wide range of environmental degradation which can have harmful impact on human and its residences. Hence it is very necessary for government to enact very strict laws that would help minimize the adverse effect of these activities.
