Potential Ecological Risks Assessment of Agricultural Site, Along Asa River Flood Plains, Ilorin, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

The contamination of agricultural sites by heavy metals poses a serious threat to human health as these metals can enter the human body through food consumption. This study focuses on assessing heavy metal contamination and probable ecological risk in agricultural areas along the Asa River floodplains in Ilorin, Nigeria. Ten soil samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP-MS).  Contamination risk index applied are degree of contamination, geo-accumulation index (Igeo), pollution load index (PLI) and potential ecological risk index (PERI). Pearson Correlation matrixes Analysis (PCA) were employed to identify contamination sources and relationships between heavy metals. Results showed varying concentrations of heavy metals with lead exceeding permissible limits in some locations. However, Zinc, Copper, Nickel, Chromium, Cobalt, and Arsenic were within acceptable thresholds, indicating anthropogenic influences.  Most of the sampled areas are unpolluted except for KFG 5 polluted with lead. A Low to considerable degree of lead contamination, minimal to significant lead enrichment and low to considerable potential ecological risk of lead was observed. Correlation analysis revealed interdependencies among heavy metals, suggesting common contamination sources. Emphasizing the probable lead contamination in agricultural soil samples along the Asa River floodplains and the need for effective management strategies to protect human health and environment from pollution and eutrophication.