ABSTRACT

 This study was conducted to determine the level of heavy metals in cultivated and non cultivated soil in Umuahia and lkwuano area of Abia State and to determine soil physico chemical properties. Soil samples were collected from six (6) locations at a depth of 0-15cm. Three samples were collected from each location making it a total of eighteen (18) sample. Soil physical and chemical analysis were determined, concentrations of heavy metals Zn,Pb,Ni and Cd were also analysed. Particle size showed that sand proportion ranged from 73.13% in pineapple orchard to 81.75% in vegetable oil factory, clay ranged from 13.69% in pineapple orchard site and silt proportion ranged from 6.22% in vegetable oil factory to 13.17% in pineapple orchard. Aggregate stability ranged from 7.90% MWDW in mechanic village to 1737% MWDW in pineapple orchard. The pH in kCl ranged from 3.65 in pineapple orchard to 7.29 in mechanic village Organic carbon ranged from 1.99% in cassava plot to 5.79% in mechanic village. Cation exchange capacity ranged from 10.6 CMOI kg-1 in vegetable oil factory to 18.1 CMOI kg in refuse dump site. Heavy metal analysis showed that Zn has (18.08mg) in pineapple orchard to 222.41mg/kg in mechanic village. Pb ranged from 1,25mg/kg in cassava plot to 22.25 mg/kg in refuse dump. Ni ranged from 3.05 mg/kg in cocoa plantation to 66.81 • mg/kg in cassava plot. Cd ranged from 0.05mg/kg in vegetable oil factory to 16.38 mg/kg in mechanic village. The industrially impacted soil like refuse dump, vegetable oil factory and mechanic village were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Zn, Pb and Cd than the cultivated soil. Cd in mechanic village soil was above the critical minimum recommended for soils while Pb and Zn were high in refuse dump and mechanic village, they were within normal soil concentration. > higher in Zn, Pb and Cd than the cultivated soil. Cd in mechanic village soil was above the critical minimum recommended for soils while Pb and Zn were high in refuse dump and mechanic village, they were within normal soil concentration.