Assessment of the Levels of Some Heavy Metals Content in the Glass Sand Deposit in Kazaure, Nigeria

Aims: The study is aimed at analyzing soil samples from various sampling points of the Kazaure glass sand deposit for the levels of lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, iron, zinc, copper and manganese in order to ascertain the environmental impact of the mining activity.
Study Design: To assess the levels of Heavy metals in the glass sand deposits and their effects on the environment by comparing results with reference values obtained in literature.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Bayero University, Kano-Nigeria. September 2012- December 2012.
Methodology: We determined the soil pH and concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in fourteen samples of glass sand deposit from Kuma Dangibga village, south of Kazaure town in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric method was used and results obtained were compared with reference values for metals in soils to ascertain the levels of metal pollution.
Results: Soil pH values ranged from 7.54 ± 0.23 to 8.36 ± 0.11 indicating neutral to slightly alkaline. The mean levels of metals obtained ranged from 1.25 ± 0.00 mg/kg Cd to 81.16 ± 5.02 mg/kg Zn and in the following order of abundance: Zn> Fe> Pb> Ni> Cr> Cu> Mn>Cd. With the exception of Cd and Cr, the concentrations of the other metals were found to be below the safe limits for metals in soils. Analysis of the result indicates that there no significant differences (p>0.05) between the metal content of the glass sand and those from the adjacent control sites.
Conclusion: The results indicate pollution by Cd and Cr which need to be addressed since the lands around the vicinity of the mining site are being utilized for agricultural purposes.