Investigation of metals accumulation in soil dumpsites using proton-induced X-ray emission

This work was designed to examine the elemental constituents and physiochemical parameters of dumpsites in four local government areas in Ondo State. Elemental composition and physiochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, chloride and nitrate were analyzed in soil samples. The data were analyzed using the windows version 24.0 of the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Odigbo reported the highest mean concentrations in Al, Zn and Co. The highest mean concentrations of metals were Si, K, Cr, S and Y in Okitipupa. Although at Irele P, Fe, Rb, Sr, Bi and Au had the maximum mean concentration, in Control Site, Cl and Mn had an exponential increase in value. The highest value was observed in Ilaje for V, Cu, As, Zr, Sn, Pb. There was significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) in all metals except Sr, Bi and Y, which did not reveal any significant difference in mean concentration. The soil sample values at other sites were greater than the values collected at the control site. This study found that some of the obtained elemental concentrations were higher than the regulatory limits of the Soil-7 International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization. The study also revealed that continuous deposition of the elements in these dumpsites could lead to a threat to human health and to the environment.