Heavy Metal Concentrations in Agricultural Farms in Homa Hills Homa Bay County, Kenya

Abstract

Intensified agricultural activities in Kenya over the past few years has led to an increased and persistent use of fertilizers, pesticides, manure, use of machinery in order to increase yield for economic development and achieve the goals of vision 2030. Large quantities of agrochemicals are regularly added to soils in intensive farming systems to provide adequate nutrients for plant growth. The compounds used to supply these elements contain trace amounts of heavy metals (e.g., Cd and Pb) as impurities, which, after continued fertilizer application may significantly increase their content in the soil. There is need to study impact of intensive use of use of agrochemicals in the farms. Therefore, this study set out to determine the concentrations of the different heavy metals in the soil from agricultural farms of Homa Hills, Homa Bay County. The soil samples were obtained from two agro-ecological zones LM 3 (Lower Midland3) and LM 4 (Lower Midland 4) zone, around the areas of intense maize farming. Six farms in each zone were randomly selected to obtain soil samples. Sampling was done twice; for the dry and wet seasons. Different samples were also collected at two different sampling depths (0-10cm and 11-20cm) for each sampling point. The concentrations of selected heavy metals for each sample were determined using Inductive couple plasma. Data was presented using tables and figures. T-test was used to compare the variation of heavy metal concentration in the different agro-ecological zones and the different sampling depths. The results obtained showed that the mean concentration of Pb,

Concentrations, Distribution, Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Soils from Wuhan, Central China

“…Another study by Rahaman [53] also indicated that trace elements were found abundantly in the surface layer and the value decreased with an increase in soil depth with few exceptions. Converse to the results obtained in this study, the report by [56] from Kenya, indicated that subsurface soil accumulates high concentration of trace elements than surface soil due to soil leaching.…”

Evaluation of Four Anthropogenic Activity Impacts on Heavy Metal Quality of the Kumba River in the South West Region of Cameroon

“…This has led to growing global concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils due to rapid urban and industrial development and increasing reliance on agrochemicals [14]. Extensive application of pesticides and inorganic fertilizers as well as antibiotics, and organic wastes in livestock and fisheries have been proven to contribute greatly to heavy metal contamination in soils, surface water as well as ground water leading to deterioration of soil and water qualities Journal of Water Resource and Protection [15]. Seventy-three percent of active Cameroonians, in a population of over 26 million, are employed in the agricultural sector where farms discharge large quantities of agrochemicals, organic matter, drug residues, sediments and saline drainage into water bodies thereby posing demonstrated risks to aquatic ecosystems, human health and productive activities [2].…”