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Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Agricultural Soils of Bauchi State, Nigeria: Sources, Spatial Distribution, and Risk Index Evaluation |
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PP: 223-231 |
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doi:10.18576/jrna/100303
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Author(s) |
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Bappah Alkali,
Umar ibrahim,
Abubakar Mundi,
Samson D. Yusuf,
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Abstract |
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| This study investigates the concentration, spatial variability, and associated health risks of selected heavy metals
(Cd, Cr, As, Pb, and Cu) in agricultural soils across the Northern Agricultural Zone of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Twenty-one
composite soil samples were analyzed using standardized geochemical protocols, and results were benchmarked against
international regulatory thresholds set by the USEPA and EU. The mean concentrations of Cd (14.97 mg/kg) and As (10.43
mg/kg) substantially exceeded permissible limits, indicating possible anthropogenic enrichment linked to agricultural
inputs and artisanal mining. Spatial distribution maps revealed discrete hotspots, particularly in areas of high cultivation
intensity and proximity to mineralized geological formations. Risk assessment metrics, including Annual Daily Intake
(ADI) and Hazard Quotients (HQ), demonstrated elevated non-carcinogenic risks for children, particularly via oral
ingestion of Cd and Cr. Inhalation data exhibited anomalous values likely due to computational artifacts, warranting further
methodological review. Despite copper and lead levels remaining below regulatory limits, their cumulative ecological and
physiological impacts remain relevant, especially under prolonged exposure scenarios. These findings underscore the
urgent need for regulatory oversight of agrochemical practices, community-level health surveillance, and implementation
of soil remediation strategies in vulnerable zones.
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