EFFECTS OF LIQUID WASTES FROM AUTOMOBILE WORKSHOPS ON PROPERTIES OF SOILS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out in Udi, Udenu and Nsukka Local Government Areas, in Enugu state. The effects of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on some selected soil properties of the study area were investigated. Auger samples were collected at two depths, (surface, 0- 20cm) and (subsurface, 20- 40cm) of automobile wastes contaminated sites and 100m away for uncontaminated sites. Core samples were collected from both soils and surface samples were again collected for planting maize in the greenhouse to determine the effects of the contaminated soils on maize parameters.  All the samples were analyzed for selected physical and chemical properties. Trace elements and heavy metal were also analyzed. The results showed that both soils had high sand content. According to the results of the statistical analysis, bulk density (BD), hydraulic conductivity (HC), pH, total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, organic carbon, organic matter, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron were significantly affected by contamination. The soils were slightly acidic and their trace elements and heavy metal contents decreased with depth. Also, the maize planted in contaminated soils with poultry manure amendments performed better than those without manure, and uncontaminated soils with manure amendments had the best performance in growth. The results indicated that automobile wastes had a negative effect on the nutrient level and fertility status of the studied soil. The research recommended that the use of organic manure amendment and liming materials should be used to ameliorate the effect of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on crop growth and policies should be enacted by the relevant authorities to sanction any improper disposal of these wastes in order to protect the soils for agricultural purposes.
KEYWORDS: automobile wastes, heavy metal, maize, poultry manure

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page -      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -i

Certification-   -           -           -           --          -           -           -           -           -           -           -ii

Dedication-     -           -           --          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -iii

Acknowledgement-    --          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -iv

Table of content-         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -vi

List of tables-  -           -           --          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -vii

List of figures-                        -           --          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -viii

Abstract-         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -ix

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction-   -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -1

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Effect of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on soils-     -           -           -           -5

 2.2 Effect of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on crops (Maize)-  -           -           -8

 2.3 Effect of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on agricultural lands         -           -8

2.4 Effect of liquid wastes from automobile workshops on soil micro- organisms and pH   --9

2.5 Environmental impacts of automobile wastes--    -           -           -           -           -           -11

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1 Site description-    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -15

3.2 Field work-           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -20

 3.3 Greenhouse studies-         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -22

 3.4 Laboratory analysis-         -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -23

3.4.1 Soil physical analysis-    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -23

3.4. 2 Soil chemical analysis-  -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -26

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 The physical properties of the soils: the study locations, contamination rate and soil depth- 31

4.2 The chemical properties of the soils: the study locations, contamination and soil depth-       33

4.3 The heavy metals and trace elements properties of the soils of the study locations, contamination and Soil Depth--           -           -           -           -           -           -           -        35

4.4 Results on the Greenhouse Study-           -           -           -           -           -           -           -        37

CHAPTER FIVE

Conclusion/ recommendations-           -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -       50

References

Appendices