Assessment of lead, copper and zinc contamination of soil from University of Cape Coast School of Agricultural farmland, Ghana

Abstract

The extent of heavy metal contamination viz. lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the soil of the University of Cape Coast School of Agricultural farmland, Ghana, were assessed. Thirty soil samples were taken from six demarcated areas in the farm. The mean metal concentrations (mean ± cv) and ranges of the metals were (5.37 ± 45.44) 1.93- 11.88 for (Pb); (2.52 ± 118.9) 0.04-24.63 for (Cu); (475.87 ± 26.54), 135.6- 887.01 and for Al, (393.83 ± 33.38) 138.32-1051.56. The results showed that the metal concentrations in the soil at six sites decreased in the order: Zn > Pb >Cu. The variation in the distribution of the metals in the soil was found to be in the order Cu > Pb > Zn. The enrichment factor indicated that the soil was enriched with the metals, and the extent of enrichment was in the order, Zn > Pb > Cu. The geoaccumation index and the mean enrichment quotient indicated that the soil was polluted. This contaminated soil sediments could act as a source of pollutant for crops grown in the farm