Soil Quality Assessment Around Oil Palm Production Belts In Akwa-Ibom State, Southern Part Of Nigeria

This study looked into soil pollution resulting from oil palm production wastes in the oil palm production belts of Akwa-Ibom State. The study utilized the experimental research design. Soil samples were collect from both the POME impacted soils and the soils not impacted (control). These soil samples were sent to the laboratory for analysis. The Analysis of Variance test was used for data analysis. Data revealed differences in soil quality between the oil palm production sites and the control site. The content values of various parameters were higher than those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), which is attributed to the unregulated introduction of palm oil mill effluents (POME). The study found that the key soil quality parameters—including pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and heavy metals—showed significant differences from WHO standards. The study further highlighted a decrease in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) in the sampled soils compared to the control soils. The study observed that soil organic carbon (SOC) increased in the sampled soils compared to the control soils, likely due to POME's effect in enhancing SOC depending on the quantity applied. Soil physical conditions, such as particle size composition (sand, silt, and clay), WHC, and bulk density, also increased in the sampled soils relative to the control site. The ANOVA results for the soil characteristics in Akwa-Ibom State were significantly different at p<0.05. This meant that there is a significant difference in the soil characteristics both at the palm oil polluted sites and the control area. The study recommended producing oil palm sustainably; the use of cleaner technologies for processing oil palm amongst others.