Geo-Accumulation Concentration of Heavy Metals and Its Implications on The Rural Livelihoods of Farmers in Ijesaland, Nigeria

Abstract

The study descriptively examined geo - accumulation concentration of heavy metals in soil samples from eight vulnerable communities (Iperindo, Mogbara, Odo - Ijesa, Iregun, Oora, Ido - Ijesa, Unilesa campus and Isua) in Ijesaland, providing evidence of potential environmental and health risk. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations using standard laboratory procedure (Electronic Analytical Balance AA-200Ds). This enables promoting best mining and farming practices that conserve natural resources and resilience. The results revealed a significant geographical variation with significantly higher geo - accumulation of heavy metal concentration in Iperindo, Mogbara, and Odo - Ijesa axis. All the soils exceed the critical limit (Igeo = 0.11mg kg -1) of toxicity safety for Arsenic (As) and Cadmium (Cd), making the soil fertility deteriorating more quickly and with an element of cancerous health risk. However, the geo - accumulation index for Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) in the samples were not only lower than the critical limit (1.00 mg kg -1) but safer except in Iperindo, Mogbara and Odo-Ijesa axis where lead (Pb) concentration (1.04 mg kg -1) is high compare to others. The finding was used to characterize a less than 30% of the soil as unpolluted while over 70% are moderately polluted. In the face of environmental challenges, effort is required on natural resources management and conservation so as to avoid the soil situation being extremely polluted that will be threatened food production and ecosystem. Best practices in gold mining for sustainable agriculture that promoting public health sanity in vulnerable committees is the answer.