Effect of Anthropogenic Activities On Physicochemical Properties of Soils in Ezinihitte Mbaise Lga. Imo State

ABSTRACT The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of anthropogenic activities on physiochemical properties of soils in Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A. Imo State. 36 soil samples were collected randomly at the depth of 0-5cm, 5-15cm, and 15-30cm. The samples were collected from four different locations, farmland, market area, play ground and forest. The samples were prepared and analyzed for physiochemical properties such as sand, silt, clay, pH, conductivity, organic carbon, moisture content, available phosphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, aluminum, nickel, cadmium, chromium and copper, using standard methods. The result of the analysis revealed that the soil pH was basic, ranging from 6.45-8.98; electrical conductivity ranged from 0.120-0.155µs/cm. The textual class was sandy-clay-loam, implying that the soil contain sand in a higher proportion. Moisture content, organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, aluminum ranged from 6.56-16.70%, 0.32-1.52%, 0.55-2.61%, 5.53-18.55mg/kg, 0.4-6.7mg/kg, 1.0- 8.5mg/kg, 424-624mg/kg, 224-392mg/kg, 0.001-2.8mg/kg respectively. Heavy metal concentration in the soil was Ni (0.099-0.416mg/kg), Cd (0.016- 0.173mg/kg), Cr (0.004-0.216mg/kg), Cu (0.000-0.013mg/kg). From these results, it was found that there was a marked variation in parameters of various soil samples in different sampling points. These variations were as a result of different anthropogenic activities in the locations. The study recommends that efforts should be made to improve soil quality and its fertility status through continuous application of manure and compost, soil amendments, cropping pattern most especially in farmland.