Geological Behavior (GBR)

In this appraisal, heavy metal concentrations in soils from Zamfara State were enumerated approximately a decade after the lead poisoning saga using indexes of pollution. The area is enhancement with valuable ores and minerals including gold making mining the most lucrative business in the area. The soils were moderate to slightly basic with a pH range from 6.49 ± 0.12 to 7.96 ± 0.15 (water) and 6.15 ± 0.10 to 7.80 ± 0.17 (KCl). Contamination / pollution (C/P) values reported for cadmium, lead, zinc and copper was 42.66, 0.59, 0.85 and 3.04 in the respective order (severe contamination to excessive pollution). The contamination factor (CF) was greater than the highest factor of 6, indicating very high contamination. The calculated values for geochemical accumulation (Igeo) and ecological risk factor (ERf) for Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu was (19.26, 0.27, 0.38, 1.37) and (1280, 2.95, 0.85, 15.2) respectively while the potential ecological risk index (ERi) was 1299, indicating that the soils were perturbed (polluted). Considering the deleterious effects heavy metals could cause and the resultant health implications, there is need to further remediate the polluted areas so as to avert harm to organisms and humans would consume crops grown in such environment.