Evaluation of Contamination and Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals Associated with Cement Production in Ewekoro, Southwest Nigeria

BACKGROUND. Exposure to heavy metals emanating from cement production and other anthropogenic activities can pose ecological risks. OBJECTIVES. A detailed investigation was carried out to assess the contamination and ecological risk of heavy metals associated with dust released during cement production. METHODS. Sixty samples, including 30 soils and 30 plants, were collected around Lafarge Cement Production Company. Control samples of soil and plants were collected in areas where human activities are limited. Samples were dried, sieved (for soil; 65 μm), packaged and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at Acme Laboratory in Canada. RESULTS. The average concentration of heavy metals in soils of the area are: copper (Cu): 41.63 mg/kg; lead (Pb): 35.43 mg/kg; zinc (Zn): 213.64 mg/kg; chromium (Cr): 35.60 mg/kg; cobalt (Co): 3.84 mg/kg and nickel (Ni): 5.13 mg/kg. Concentrations of Cr in soils were above the recommended standards, while other metals were below recommended limits. The average concentrations of heavy metals in plants were: Cu: 26.32 mg/kg; Pb: 15.46 mg/kg; Zn: 213.94 mg/kg; Cr: 30.62 mg/kg; Co: 0.45 mg/kg and Ni: 3.77 mg/kg. Levels of heavy metals in plants were all above international limits. Geo-accumulation of metals in soils ranged between −0.15 and 6.32, while the contamination factor ranged between 0.53 and 119.59. Ecological risk index of heavy metals in soils ranged between 49.71 and 749. DISCUSSION. All metals in soils of the study area except for Cr were below the allowable limits, while the levels of metals in plants were above the permissible limits. Levels of heavy metals reported in this study were higher than those from similar cement production areas. Soils around the Ewekoro cement production area were low to extremely contaminated by toxic metals. Cement production, processing, transportation in conjunction with the abandoned railway track in the area greatly contribute to the high degree of contamination observed in the area. Metal transfers from soil to plant are a common phenomenon. The metals pose low to considerable ecological risk. CONCLUSIONS. Anthropogenic sources, especially cement processing activities, release heavy metals which leads to progressive pollution of the environment and poses high ecological risk. COMPETING INTERESTS. The authors declare no competing financial interests