Cadmium Levels and Potential Ecological Risks in Soils from Selected Motor Parks in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

The health of the soil is of great concern to us because of the crucial role and support the soil plays in crop production/nutrition which has direct consequences on human health. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to assess the cadmium levels and potential ecological risks in Soils from Selected Motor Parks in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (SOLAAR 969 UNICAM SERIES), after complete acid digestion. Results from the study revealed very low mean Cd concentrations at Station A(Oluku 0.09 mg/kg >Uniben 0.08 mg/kg >Odighi 0.07 mg/kg Ugbowo 0.01 mg/kg), while at station B Cd concentrations were all beyond the recommended levels except at Ring road (Uselu 0.28 mg/kg >Iyare 0.23 mg/kg >Muyi Line 0.18 mg/kg > Ring road 0.05 mg/kg). Atstation C: Cd levels were observed to be only high at Lawarsi and Agip (Lawarsi 0.19 mg/kg >Agip 0.13 mg/kg >Ameosa 0.06 mg/kg > New Benin 0.06 mg/kg. Results from the study portrayed that the cadmium mean levels at Uselu Motor-park, Lawarsi, Agip, Iyare, and Muyi line had higher levels of cadmium compared to other areas. This is crucial in helping to ascertain and monitor the level of cadmium in the soil of motor parks in Benin City and to ensure that anthropogenic activities that can lead to high concentration levels of cadmium are put under control.