Spatial Distribution and Health Risk Assessment of Soil Pollution by Heavy Metals in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria

BACKGROUND. Soil pollution by heavy metals in urban areas is of major concern to city planners and policy makers because of the potential threat to human health. Hence, an investigation of soil pollution is crucial to urban environmental assessment and management. OBJECTIVE. To determine the spatial distribution and health risk assessment of seven heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) around Ijebu-ode, southwest Nigeria. METHODS. Surface soil samples were analyzed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn levels using standard procedures. Geographic information system (GIS) data, pollution indices (enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index), and the health risk assessment model, respectively, were used to analyze the spatial distribution, pollution level, and potential health risk of heavy metals. RESULTS. Low pH was observed in the urban soils. The average concentrations of the seven heavy metals investigated were in order of Zn > Pb > Mn > Cu > Cd > Ni > Cr. There was high spatial variation in the distribution patterns of the heavy metals. The cancer risks for Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn for children (1.50 × 10(−3) – 2.71 × 10(−2)) and Mn, Pb, and Zn for adults (7.89 × 10(−4) – 2.97 × 10(−3)) were higher than the acceptable range of 1 × 10(−6) - 1 × 10(−4). CONCLUSIONS. Anthropogenic activities from different urban land uses contribute to the pollution levels and spatial distribution of heavy metals in soils. Increasing pollution of urban soil may contribute to the occurrence of some health risk for residents in the study area. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests.