Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Some Nigerian Soils: A Review

Abstract

Nigeria is one of the fast developing African Nation with a population of about 170 million. Over the years, industrialization, urbanization and agricultural activities have generated great amount of waste in the societies, about 0.57 kg/capital/day is generated in around Nigerian Cities. It has being noted that municipal waste contains heavy metals and their accumulation contaminates agricultural soil. This paper reviews the various sources of soil contamination, heavy metal concentration and its related health effects. A long term exposure and accumulation above the acceptable levels of this metals whether due to natural or human factors may leads to environmental and health problems. Residue of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), tin (Sn) and zinc (Zn) in soil above Standard level requirement are toxins in the environment, polluting the soil.