ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the effect of anthropogenic activities on the physico-chemical properties of soils of Awka South, LGA, Anambra state, Southeastern Nigeria. Triplicate soil samples were collected from three (3) soil depths (0-15cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm) in four land use types; sand mining, play ground, arable land and forest land of Agu Awka, Amowbia, Okpuno and Ifite respectively. Physico-chemical properties and heavy metals concentration of the soils were analyzed using standard methods. Analysis of variance and correlation analysis were performed using Genstat Statistical Package Version 18. Results showed that soil properties were significantly (P arable land > sand mining > playground. Results further showed that all the heavy metals (Ni, Cu Cd and Cr) where generally low and were below critical levels. They varied significantly (P< 0.05) among the land use types. Overall, heavy metal distribution of the soils followed decreasing trend as follows; Ni (playground (0.034 mgkg-1) > arable land (0.023 mgkg-1) > sand mining (0.029 mgkg-1) > forest (0.017 mgkg-1) Cd (play ground (0.045 mgkg-1)> arable land (0.028mgkg-1) > forest (0.016 mgkg-1) > sand mining (0.007 mgkg-1), Cr (play ground (0.040 mgkg-1) > sand mining (0.037 mgkg-1) > forest (0.032 mgkg-1) > arable land (0.031 mgkg-1). Soil pH, Ca, Mg, TEB and ECEC had strong significant influence on Cd and Cr. Furthermore, result of multiple regressions revealed that combined efforts of pH, OC, ECEC, clay, BD and Mc contributed significantly 50.1 %, 45.9 %, 47.3 % and 36.7 % of Ni, Cu, Cd and Cr respectively. To improve the fertility status of these soils especially arable land, the use of organic and/or inorganic fertilizer is required.