Integrated Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination Spatial Distribution Ecological Risk and Human Health Implications in Soils of Osubi and Surrounding Areas Delta State Nigeria

Soil pollution by heavy metals is a major environmental and human health problem worldwide. This paper evaluated the levels, location distribution, ecological hazards, and human health consequences of heavy metals in the Osubi and surrounding soils of the Okpe Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. Standard analytical procedures were used to test 15 (15) soil samples (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, and Pb). Concentrations were between 201.5 and 377.1mg/kg (Fe), 6.28 and 160.7mg/kg (Mn), 52.98 240.4mg/kg (Zn), 20.23-144.4mg/kg (Cr), 0.68-24.85mg/kg (Cd), 7.53-44.5mg/kg (Ni), and 2.16-91.7mg/kg. Pollution indices, which included Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Modified Degree of Contamination (mCd), Nemerow Pollution Index (PNI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), showed low and moderate contamination, with the MPI implying significant pollution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and correlation outcomes had blamed the accumulation of heavy metals majorly to anthropogenic sources which included automobile emissions, industrial effluents, waste disposal and agricultural practices. Spatial analysis allowed defining hotspots, especially in the area of PTI Skills, WOJ 30, and Government Land, which reflects effects of human activities concentration. There was a assessment of health risk Hazard Index (HI) with high Hazard Index (HI) values (HI_child = 5.50; HI_adult = 1.89) which showed high non-carcinogenic risks, particularly in children. The toxicant was dominated by Cr, Cd and Pd and there may be potential neurological and renal consequences. The research suggests policy intervention measures such as tightening environmental standards, physical surveillance, population-based surveillance of health and remediationsolutions that are environmentally friendly like phytoremediation. Altogether, the research results present essential information about the dynamics of soil contamination and prove the necessity of combined management strategies to protect the environment and human well being in the region under investigation.