HEAVY METALS FOUND IN THE SOILS AT AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC WORKSHOPS IN OBOSI, IDEMILI NORTH L.G.A OF ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

The concentration of Cu, Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb in automobile mechanic workshops in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State Nigeria, have been determined to ascertain the exert level of these heavy metals in the soils within the study area. Six soil samples were collected from six different mechanic workshops. The samples were prepared,digested and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) machine. The soil samples contain mean values of 2.403ppm of Pb, 0.6385ppm of Cd, 5.8223ppm of Cu and 0.000ppm of Hg. The heavy metals were found to be higher in concentration levels for Cu, Cr, Cd and Pb compared to the Minimum Concentration Level (MCL). The result obtained indicates that the soils in the automobile mechanic workshops have been impacted highly with Cu, Cd, Cr and Pb.