This study was carried out to determine some physicochemical properties and heavy metals level in primary school playground located in Benin City, Southern Nigeria using standard methods. A total of 10 topsoil samples were collected from five primary school playgrounds from different locations in Benin metropolis, Southern Nigeria in February, 2017. The mean levels of pH and EC ranged from 5.53 to 7.02 and 200.05 - 410.00 µS/cm respectively. The mean concentrations for heavy metals ranged from 337.15±64.28 and 464.10±19.37 for Fe, 23.40±7.50 and 29.70±4.81 for Mn, 45.95±8.70 and 67.95±4.74 for Zn, 8.48±1.61 and 12.90±3.82 for Cu, 5.10±2.33 and 7.41±1.54 for Cd, 4.42±2.02 and 8.39±7.09 for Cr, 6.17±2.82 and 13.82±6.76 for Pb, 0.99±0.09 and3.24±3.73 for Ni respectively. Heavy metal concentrations were in the following order. In Ogiegbaen, Eresoyen and Ekosodin Primary schools (PS) playground, the order was Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Pb> Cd> Cr> Ni while the order in Agbado PS and Olua PS were Fe> Zn> Mn> Cu> Pb> Cr> Cd> Ni and Fe> Zn> Mn> Pb> Cu> Cd> Cr> Ni respectively. Enrichment factor (EF), Contamination factor (CF) and Geoaccumulation index (Igeo) were used to evaluate the pollution status of the soil. Keywords: Topsoil, Playground, Heavy metals, Assessment Indices

Within 1950 - 2004 the earth recorded a considerable increase in its average ambient temperature. This was however due to increase in anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions resulting from high consumption of fossil fuels. Flaring been a source of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, is a concern to skeptics and local oil producing communities as a significant contributor to global warming, environmental degradation, health risk and economic loss. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the impacts of gas flaring on global warming and the local oil producing communities. The study adopted the quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis. The quantitative method involved using results complied by researchers of the Carbon Dioxide Information and Analysis Center showing the total anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions (1950 -2004) from various sources to determine the impact carbon dioxide from flaring has had on global warming. The determination was done using a computer software (excel). The qualitative method on the other hand involved the use of case study literatures to examine and review the impacts gas flaring has on the local oil producing communities. The quantitative method of analysis showed that carbon dioxide from gas flaring constitute 1% of the total anthropogenic carbon dioxide which was considered insignificant, whilst the case study review of the qualitative method showed that gas flaring cause environmental degradation, health risks and constitute financial loss to the local oil producing communities. The research went ahead to refute the argument that gas flaring causes global warming, however acknowledging that it causes environmental degradation, health risks and economic loss to the local oil producing communities.

This study examines the effects of elevated soil carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations on spring wheat and soil chemical properties in the Sutton Bonington Campus, of the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom using Artificial Soil Gassing and Response Detection (ASGARD) facility which controls CO2 injection into the soil. Eight plots (each 2.5 x 2.5m) were laid out within the experimental area and used for the study and were treated with high CO2 concentrations (area within 75cm from the point of injection), low CO2 concentration (area farther than 75 cm from the point of CO2 injection) and no CO2 concentration (control) at CO2 injection rate of 1.0l/min from a source point 60cm below the soil for eight (8) weeks. The variability of CO2 concentrations were determined by 3D and barholing method. The wheat plant showed visible symptoms of wilting, chlorosis and poor development within 15- 21 days of gassing. Gassing at the rate of 1.0l/min resulted in reduced plant height and a 60% decrease in chlorophyll content of wheat plant exposed to high CO2 concentrations when compared with control plots. The soil pH for the control plots at the depth of 15-30 cm was 6.31 and 6.7 after injection, showing a difference of 0.39. At the depth of 45-60 cm, the pH before injection was 5.89 while post injection was 6.39, showing a difference of 0.5. The study showed that organic carbon at 45-60cm depth of soil ranged from 2.54% to 2.58% with a mean value of 3.26%, while carbonate content ranged from 0.73 to 0.77%. Furthermore, at 45-60cm depth of soil after injection, the mean value of K across all experimental plots was 64.16 mg/lK, available P content ranged from 15.4 to 16.9 mg/lP, N content ranged from 11.2 to 16.9 mg/lN, Ca ranged from 1000 to 1300 mg/lCa, Mg ranged from 158 to168 mg/lMg while at 15-30cm depth of soil, Na range from low to moderate (10.16–10.2 mg/l Na). There was no significant difference (P<0.05) or changes in mineralogical content of the soil properties studied.Keywords: controlled injection; CO2; soil chemical properties, soil depth