CONTAMINATION INDICES OF TRACE METAL IN SOIL FROM AN OPEN DUMP SITE IN IDORO ROAD, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE.

This study investigated the contamination of trace metals in soil from an open dumpsite along Idoro Road, Uyo, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from the dumpsite and a nearby uncontaminated farmland (control). Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine the concentrations of Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn) and the concentrations of these metals in the dumpsite soil were higher than those in the control. The range from the dumpsite and the control soil was Cd (1.24-32.04), Pb (6.10-7.36), Fe (2.01-62.15), Cu (15.41-79.49) and Zn (17.07-50.09). The results for the contamination indicated very high contamination for Cd, Pb, and Fe, moderate contamination for cCu and Zn. The Igeo result revealed moderate to heavily contaminated soil for Cd, Fe, Pb, and moderately contaminated soil for Cu and Zn. Minimal enrichment was observed for Zn, Cu and Pb, while significant enrichment was recorded for Cd. The overall modified degree contamination (15.38) and pollution load index (10.78) for trace metal in soil from the dumpsite confirmed that the dumpsite is heavily polluted. When compared with WHO standard foe trace metal in soil, Cu, Cd, and Pb were higher than the stipulated standard. The findings in this study highlight the severe ecological and public health risks posed by open dumping, including potential accumulation of metals in plants and groundwater contamination. The study emphasizes the need for proper waste management, soil remediation, and continuous environmental monitoring to mitigate these risks.