Determination of the Physicochemical Properties of Soil Amended with Cassava Mill Effluent in Mosogar Area of Delta State

Abstract This research studied the effect of cassava mill effluent on the physicochemical properties of soil samples from specific locations in Mosogar community, of Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Sample collection and analyses were done, using standard methods of analysis for physicochemical properties: pH, Organic Matter (OM), Organic Carbon (OC), Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), etc and heavy metals: Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn) and Lead (Pb) content. The physicochemical properties of the effluent were also characterized and soil samples were treated with the cassava mill effluent at different rates of 10, 20, 30 and 40% after 3 and 6 months respectively. Triplicate analysis of the treated samples revealed pH result of 6.2±0.1 - 6.4±0.2 at 30% after 6 months of treatment %OC, 6.4±0.5 - 14.1±0.2 with 40% treatment after 3 months. CEC, 30.8 - 62.4(meq/100g) with 40% treatment after 6 months. Heavy metals result showed Fe reduction, 145±0.2 - 113.2±0.1 mg/kg at 10% after 6months. Cu, 112±0.2 -8.5±0.2mg/kg at 40% after 3 months. and Pb, 14.7±0.1 - 1.0±0.1 mg/kg at 10% after 3 months. Zn increase, 8.2±0.5 - 20.6±0.4mg/kg at 40% after 6 months. Mn increase, 12.1±0.1 - 24.3±0.5 mg/kg at 40% after 3 months This indicates a good soil amendment capacity of cassava mill effluent over a period of time. However, it should be cautiously applied because of its inconsistent interactions with soil heavy metals