RESPONSES OF SELECTED SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND HEAVY METALS AS AFFECTED BY SEWAGE DUMP SOIL IN ABAKALIKI SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

This study evaluated the responses of selected soil chemical properties and heavy metals as affected by sewage dump in Abakaliki southeastern Nigeria. A reconnaissance survey of the study area was carried out and the following dump soils were selected: A (Abattoir sewage dump), B (Cassava sewage dump), C. (Domestic sewage dump) and D (Control – Non-sewage dump soil). Five replicate auger soil samples were collected I m away from each dump at 0 – 30 cm soil depth and used for the determination of soil ph, Organic C, total N, available P, exchangeable bases, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cr. The results showed that sewage improves soil chemical properties. The heavy metals observed were also higher in sewage dump soils than the control. Similarly, the soil study was sandy loam. Therefore, stringent measures must be taken while dumping sewage in these soils soil since the soil can easily contaminants from sewage to underground water.