Multivariate and Pollution Assessment of Enugu Industrial Layout, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This research assesses the heavy metals pollution in the soil and water qualities in Emene and its environs, which is well known for its large industrial activities in South-Eastern Nigeria, using multivariate and pollution load assessment techniques. The sampling was conducted in both water and soils. Sixteen water samples were fetched from an industrial effluent (IEF), surface and groundwater (SW and HDW) and control samples (CTR). At different five industrial sites, a collection of soil samples were made, while two samples which serves as a control were collected far away from the industrial site.. The extent of the sediment pollution was assessed; using pollution load index (PLI). A positive correlation was observed with Fe, As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni. The extracted results of the correlation matrix suggest that the dominant ions in the water (As and Fe, Pb and Fe, Cr and Fe, Cu and Fe, Pb and As, Cr and As, Cu and As, Cr and Pb, Cd and Zn, Ni and Zn, Cu and Cr) were derived from the same source of enrichment. In addition to this, a cluster analysis depicts a set of three clusters from a 13 sampling locations based on the similarities of water quality features. The pollution load index (PLI), showed that all locations have PLI > 1 and were polluted. The index values of the heavy metals for Igeo values shows a range which indicates that the industrial soils are unpolluted with Cu and Ni, in the degree of unpolluted to moderately polluted, it has Cr, Fe and Zn while unpolluted to highly polluted has; Pb and Mn. As and Cd shows a level from unpolluted to very highly polluted.. Based on the average Igeo values of the heavy metals, the industrial soils of the study area are unpolluted with Cr, Cu, Ni, Fe, Pb and Zn; and highly polluted with As, Fe and Cd. The data also indicate that the degree of enrichment of each of the heavy metal reflects its pollution intensity

Keywords: Cluster analysis, Contamination factor, Control samples, Emene Town, Pollution load index,

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-9-03

Publication date: November 30^th 2023