The Speciation and Potential Bioavailability of Zinc, Manganese, and Lead in Soils of Automobile Workshops in Sapele, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper presents the result of speciation of three heavy metals (Zn, Mn, & Pb) in soils from ten automobile workshops in Sapele, Nigeria. Soil samples were taken from depth 0 – 60cm and heavy metal concentration were determined. Higher concentrations of these metals were found in soils in the vicinity of the automobile mechanics workshops compared to that of the control. On speciating, 20 to 28% Zn, 23 to 39% Mn, and 15 to 23% Pb, were potentially mobile and bio-available.

Keywords: soils, heavy metals, automobile workshops, speciation, bio-available.