Title: Assessment of Soil Physico-chemical Properties in Apo Automobile Mechanic Village in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Authors: Okibe. P. Ora, Samaila I.K
Volume: 8
Issue: 11
Pages: 182-188
Publication Date: 2024/11/28
Abstract:
The study is aimed at assessing the soil physicochemical properties of the selected automobile mechanic village and its environs and comparing them to international standards to identify any potential threats to the environment due to the volume of waste generated and disposed of as a result of vehicle-related activities that take place there. Samples were collected at 0-15cm from the automobile village and a nearby agricultural farm during the dry and rainy season, packed in polythene bags, and transported to the laboratory for physicochemical properties using standard procedures. The data for soil's physicochemical properties revealed these range: pH(6.6-9.9), Bulk density( g/cm3) (0.7-1.5), Porosity(%) (54.7-70.5), Organic carbon(%) (1.5-1.8), Organic matte(r%) (2.5-3.2), Cation exchange capacity(cmol/kg) (2.9-4.4), Exchangeable acidity( Meg/100g) (0.3 -1.5), Base saturation (%)(66.4-93.4), Nitrogen(%) (0.1-0.5), available Phosphorus (ppm)( 4.8-8.6), Potassium(cmol/kg) (0.2-0.4), Calcium(cmol/kg) (1.0-1.9), Magnesium (cmol/kg) (0.8-1.9), Sodium (cmol/kg)(0.1-0.3), Sand (% )(62.8-87.8), Silt(%) (5.4-7.4), Clay( %) (7.8-29.8), Textural class (sandy loamy). The range for the measured parameters in rainy season are as follows: pH (5.7-7.90, Bulk density (g/cmol/kg)(0.8-0.9), Porosity(%) (62.6-67.7), Organic carbon(% )(1.5-1.8), Organic matter( %)(2.5-3.3), Cation exchange capacity (cmol/kg) (1.8-3.0), Exchangeable acidity (Meq/100g) (0.3-1.0), Base saturation (%)(56.9-94.5), Sand (%)(62.8-82.8), Silt (%)(5.4-7.4), Clay( %)(11.8-29.8), Textural class (sandy loamy), Nitrogen (0.2-0.6), available Phosphorus(ppm)(4.3-7.3) ,Potassium(cmol/kg)(0.1-1.2), Sodium (cmol/kg)(0.06-0.02),Magnesium(cmol/kg)(0.27-1.31), Calcium(cmol/kg)(0.01-1.97). The results of the soil physicochemical properties comparison with international standards indicate a decline in the soil physicochemical properties and soil degradation. It is recommended that the government and regulatory bodies should set guidelines for improving soil management practices in mechanic villages.