Heavy Metals in Soils and Road Dusts in Akure City, Southwest Nigeria: Ecological and Health Risks

Abstract

Expanded urbanization particularly in developing nations have as of late become a significant source of worry because of their adverse consequences on the environment. This study was conducted to determine the extent of pollution, sources, and potential ecological and health risks associated with heavy metals in Akure region, Nigeria's soils and street dusts. Thirty-four samples including 16 soils and street dusts samples each were gathered with two control samples gathered from a suburb a long way from the city. To collect fine particles, they were air dried and sieved. Chemical analysis of samples werecarried out utilizing Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) at Sustainable laboratory, a certified laboratory in Akure, Nigeria. Metals analysed were: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe. Contamination, ecological and health hazard evaluations were carried out utilizing universally acceptable indices. Potential sources were disentangle utilizing measurable technique like bivariate, factor and hierarchical cluster analyses. Results uncovered that the mean amount of Pb, Zn and Fe in street dusts were: 32.33 mg/kg, 72.53 mg/kg, and 115.21 mg/kg separately while in soil tests it was 34.34 mg/kg, 67.76 mg/kg, and 115.21 mg/kg. The examination further showed that metals particularly Cr present slight to high ecological dangers. Health hazard evaluation uncovered that the occupants of the area particularly kids are more inclined to non-cancer-causing health risks. Metals were mostly from anthropogenic sources. To reduce the impact of toxic metals in the city, it is proposed that ecological enactment and mindfulness be practiced.