An In-Depth Analysis of the Impact of Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULAB) on the Heavy Metal Parameters of The Soil of Mgbuka Obosi in Idemili North L.G.A, Anambra State

This paper evaluated the impact of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) on the heavy metal parameters of the soil of Mgbuka Obosi in Idemili North L. G. A., Anambra State. Six soil samples were collected for the purpose of this study. Four soil samples were collected from Mgbuka Obosi while two samples were collected from control sites about 2km away from Mgbuka Obosi. The two control sites were presumed to be unaffected by ULAB-related contamination, providing a baseline for comparison. The soil samples were taken to the laboratory (Docchy Analytical Laboratories and Environment Services Limited), air dried and sieved through 2mm sieve for soil analysis. The soil samples were taken to the laboratory (Docchy Analytical Laboratories and Environment Services Limited), air dried and sieved through 2mm sieve for soil analysis. Potassium concentrations are lower in the test locations, ranging from 16.483 ppm to 18.345 ppm, compared to 21.058 ppm and 23.010 ppm in the control samples. Toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper show significant increases in the test locations. Lead levels are notably higher, ranging from 3.888 ppm to 3.899 ppm in the test sites, compared to 0.892 ppm and 0.881 ppm in the control sites. Zinc levels in the test locations are also significantly higher, ranging from 4.278 ppm to 5.473 ppm, compared to 1.372 ppm and 1.745 ppm in the control samples. The hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference between the heavy metal parameters of the soils of Mgbuka Obosi and that of the control areas was tested using the Independent Samples t-test. For the Independent Samples Test, t(24) = 2.399, p = 0.25. With the p-value of <0.05 means that the null hypothesis of no significance difference is rejected while the alternative hypothesis of significance difference is accepted. This implies that there is significance difference between the heavy metal parameters of the soils of Mgbuka Obosi and the control areas, in Idemili North L. G. A. of Anambra State. Continuous environmental monitoring should be conducted to assess the levels of heavy metals in the soil, water, and air around ULAB sites. This will enable early detection of contamination and facilitate timely intervention. Local authorities should establish routine assessments to track soil quality and ensure compliance with environmental guidelines.