Quarry operations and soil health: Tracing metal pollution in Awi and Njagachan communities, Nigeria

<p align="justify">This study investigated the influence of quarry operations on soil health by evaluating the metal pollution status of soils around major quarry communities (Awi and Njagachan) in Akamkpa, Nigeria. Soil samples were subjected to wet digestion and quantified using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model AA-6800, Japan). The concentrations of lead (63.34–96.34 mg/kg), cadmium (4.29–7.40 mg/kg), mercury (2.34–3.76 mg/kg), arsenic (2.48–5.21 mg/kg), and selenium (1.22–2.75 mg/kg) were all below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), Dutch remediation levels, and other soil guidelines. However, significant spatial variation in metal levels across quarry sites points to anthropogenic influences, with quarries likely contributing to the elevated metal concentrations. Contamination factors indicated moderate contamination by lead, considerable contamination by cadmium, and very high contamination by mercury. The degree of contamination was high for all quarries except Ding Zing quarry, which showed a very high degree during the wet season. Ecological risk assessment revealed low potential risk from lead and arsenic, moderate to high risk from cadmium, and very high risk from mercury. Geo-accumulation indices suggested that soils were largely unpolluted by lead and arsenic but ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted by cadmium and mercury. The study concludes that quarry activities contribute to elevated metal concentrations, posing varying levels of ecological risk. Continuous monitoring is strongly recommended to prevent potential long-term human and environmental health risks, with a focus on addressing mercury contamination. Regulatory measures should be enforced to mitigate further pollution. </p>