Chemical Determination of Base Status Metals in Soil Sediments and Particulate Matter in Wellington Industrial Estate Location

Abstract

This research study explored the levels of base status metals in soil sediments and particulate matter in the wellington industrial estate location; the main objectives were to: 1) determine sodium and potassium, 2) determine calcium and magnesium, 3) determine available iron. The following hypotheses were put forward; H0a: there is no significant difference in the concentration levels between Ca and Mg in the study area, H1a: there is significant difference in the concentration levels between Ca and Mg in the study area, H0b: there is no significant difference in the concentration levels between Na and K in the study area, H1b: there is significant difference in the concentration levels between Na and K in the study area. Six locations were used to collect samples with the aid of scoop and gravel free auger (at varying depths of 0 - 5 cm and 5 - 10 cm) which are Wellington Industrial Estate Area 1 (WIEL 1), (WIEL 2), (WIEL 3), (WIEL 4), (WIEL 5), (WIEL 6); the samples were given laboratory treatment. Flame photometer, EDTA, and Spectrophotometer were used in the determinations of sodium and potassium, calcium and magnesium, and available iron respectively. The results indicated that levels of potassium were in medium range (moderately high); sodium levels were generally low when compared to Brook’s classification table. Levels of calcium were generally low and those of magnesium were moderate based on Brook’s table of classification. Levels of available iron which fall within the range of Quijano-Guerta (2003) were high; this implies such levels can lead to toxicity. In all locations, there was decrease in the levels of each metal in the samples with (5 - 10 cm) depth.