Abstract:
This study presents an assessment of soil quality of revegetated locations within the
catchment of a goldmine, using the index of geo-accumulation, enrichment factor and
multivariate statistics. Fourteen composite soil samples were analyzed for the following
parameters: Mn, Cd, Pb, Fe As, pH, organic C, organic matter, available K and P, total N,
total exchangeable base, exchangeable acidity, effective cation exchange capacity and base
saturation. The results indicate that all locations except one were practically uncontaminated
with Fe. Three locations were practically uncontaminated with Mn, whereas all other
locations were uncontaminated to moderately-contaminated. Principal component and cluster
analyses indicate that most members form one cluster suggesting uniformity in the degree of
impacts on the soils with regard to the parameters analyzed; and further signifying that the
impacts possibly originate from a common source. 93% of the locations recorded low to very
low levels of N (0.04-0.14mg/kg). 15% of the soils show medium levels of available P (8.45-
9.81mg/kg) while the other locations (85%) show very low levels (0.01-1.59mg/kg), an
indication that most of the soils are phosphorous deficient. The mean ECEC was
8.5meq/100g and ranged from 3.66meq/100g to 17.12meq/100g. 28% of locations recorded
less than 5meq/100g CEC, which is the minimum level for adequate exchange capacity
according to the Ghana Soil Fertility Capacity Classification. Though the heavy metal
concentrations in the soil do not pose any significant risks to agronomic activities, the
nutrient / fertility status is low to medium. There will therefore be the need to fertilize to
correct the various nutrient deficiencies prior to the commencement of agronomic activities
