Assessment of Heavy Metals in Nigerian Agricultural Soils

Safety issues and potential health implications associated with the uptake of heavy metals in agricultural soils are matters of grave concern. This study assessed the level of heavy metal contents in agricultural soils of Minna. Twenty-five surface soil samples were analyzed for Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Ag, Hg, As, and Cu. The heavy metals were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Mean heavy metals content were higher in Gidan-Kwano and Bosso than in Maitumbi, Chanchaga, and Mailcunkele. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed the sequence of paramount importance as follows: Cr>Zn>Cu>Ni>Pb>Ag>Cd>As>Hg. Results indicated that all the heavy metal contents except Cu were lower than the threshold values used.