RISK ASSESSMENT OF CADMIUM CONTAMINATED SOIL IN A BATTERY MANUFACTURING FACTORY IN NIGERIA.
Abstract
Risk assessment of trace metal contamination in soil involves the understanding of its chemical form and concentration. In this study, the chemical species, distribution and bioavailability of cadmium in the soil within a battery factory in Ibadan, Nigeria was investigated. The result indicates that total concentration of cadium (12.62-37.35mg/kg) within the factory site exceeds the threshold limit established by federal environmental protection agency (FEPA) by a factor of 4.54. solid phase speciation of the soil showed that cadium was distributed in order :residual>organic bound>occluded by free oxide>inorganic bound> exchangeable. Cd content that could be exchanged with other useful ion in the soil however falls between the standard normal ranges. The threat posed by presence of cadmium is indicative by its concentration level distribution in other species.