ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the effects of palm oil mill effluents (POME) on soils within Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Soils of palm oil mill effluent from Umugbalu. Oloko, Araim and Iberenta were compared with that of non-POME soils within controls. The physico-chemical properties of the soils, some selected element and trace slight variations generally in the portion of particle sizes distribution between the soil series. The PH ranged from (6.85+ 0.22 -6.99+ 0.43) for POME soils and the non-POME soils used as controls have values ranging from (6.03+0.14-6.85) across the samples. Other chemical parameters include exchangeable acidity (10.24+0.10-0.28) and control range (0.32+0.04-0.53+0.12). The electrical conductivity and base saturation results were slightly higher in POME soils than in non-POME soils. The rate of effective cation exchange capacity was higher in POME soils with range (35.00+1.00-63.40+1.23) against the non-POME soils range of f all more in POME soils than in non-POME soils. f xii \ .i (10.60+1.32-17.06+1.05). The major nutrients nitrogen, Phosphorus and potassium were metals were determined. Result showed that there were all higher in POME soils than in non-POME soils which are an added advantage to the soil. Other element investigated includes Magnesium, calcium, sodium, Iron and they were the same areas. Soils samples were collected 0-20 cm deep at distance (40-80)m apart from the palm oil mill site. Locations 180 nt far from the mill site were also collected as