Page 1 of 15
European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 1
Publication Date: February 25, 2023
DOI:10.14738/aivp.111.14052.
Iyama, W.A., Edori, E.S., Edori, O. S., Nimame, P., Egbenefu, C. O., Timothy, N., Emejuru, S.W., Gbode, Y. L., & Samuel-Harry, F.
(2023). Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Soils Around Fruit Garden Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(1). 675-689.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Soils Around
Fruit Garden Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Iyama, W. A.
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Edori, E. S.
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Edori, O.S.
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Nimame, P.
Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Egbenefu, C. O.
Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Timothy, N.
Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Emejuru, S. W.
Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Gbode, Y. L.
Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Samuel-Harry, Fanny
Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology,
Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Abstract
The concentrations of the different physicochemical properties in soils around fruit
garden market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was evaluated. The different
physicochemical parameters were determined using conventional laboratory
procedures. The mean values obtained for physicochemical parameters studied
within the stations during the time of research were in the range; pH; 7.28±0.03-
7.44±0.02, electrical conductivity; 737.546±3.949-757.248±3.607 μS/cm, particle
size analysis were silt, 10.18±0.14-10.34±0.04%, sand; 81.83±0.94-83.40±0.33%,
and clay, 6.42±0.33-7.86±0.79 with a textural class of loamy soil, % organic carbon;
Page 2 of 15
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 676
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 1, February-2023
4.877±0.03-5.089±0.02%, %organic matter; 8.456±0.14-8.774±0.04%, total
nitrogen; 0.235±0.01-0.284±0.01mg/Kg, nitrates1.183±0.13-1.253±0.04mg/Kg,
total phosphorus; 2.994±0.02-3.436±0.16mg/Kg, phosphates; 9.246±0.11-
9.476±0.15mg/Kg, chlorides; 112.376±1.29-122.676±1.33mg/Kg and salinity;
182.965±1.01-189.056±1.56mg/Kg. The concentrations of the physicochemical
properties recorded in the different locations of the fruit garden market were
either above or below the levels allowed by regulatory bodies for soils subject to
the minimum or maximum limit allowed for such parameter in the soil. The
recorded results therefore indicated that the human activities had remarkable
influence on the physicochemical properties of the soils within the environment
used for fruit garden.
Keywords: Fruit Garden, physicochemical parameters, contamination, human activities,
soil
INTRODUCTION
Environmental pollution due to human activities is common and is on the rise due to increase
in population [1]. These human activities could be industrial, agricultural or commercial. The
release of these environmental contaminants into the environment in most cases are done with
disregard to rules and guidelines given by appropriate agencies [2, 3]. The ultimate
consequences of such negligence are the effects produced on human lives due to the daily
interactions with the contaminated soil. The contaminated or polluted soil has dangerous
effects on soil microbes and also plants that derive their nutrients from the soil [4].
The soil serves as a major link between the lithosphere and biosphere and has very low rate of
formation and is of immeasurable significance in both agricultural and environmental
development [5, 6]. Soil pollution is a major challenge and poses significant threat to plants,
animals and even human lives. Such contamination of the soil can change the physicochemical
characteristics of the soil which is at the receiving end of waste dump. Such properties includes
soil moisture content, electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, Atterberg limits,
total organic carbon and total organic matter [7].
The actions of humans all over the globe has brought about extensive contamination and
pollution of the soil worldwide, thus resulting in changes in its structure and composition. The
undesirable consequences generated by humans has given rise to endless pollution of the soil
and thereby resulting into complete degradation and deterioration of the soil environment. The
continuous perseverance of these deplorable and unfortunate activities results into
accumulative consequences and ultimately culminate into health concerns in man [8, 9].
Nigeria as a nation is facing and battling with the difficulties in managing, coordinating and
disposing wastes into the surrounding environment. Even with the regulatory laws of the
Federal ministry of Environmental (FMOE), there has been little or no documented success or
progress made [10]. This calls for a proper understanding and awareness of the challenges
posed by such negligence to outlined regulations and guidelines. The knowledge on the proper
use of the environment should be a global concern in order to achieve sustainable resources
resulting from man infractions or interferences. Soil contamination is of utmost worry because
Page 3 of 15
677
Iyama, W.A., Edori, E.S., Edori, O. S., Nimame, P., Egbenefu, C. O., Timothy, N., Emejuru, S.W., Gbode, Y. L., & Samuel-Harry, F. (2023). Assessment
of Physicochemical Properties of Soils Around Fruit Garden Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol - 11(1). 675-689.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.111.14052
of its ability to destroy the structure of the soil, cause soil deterioration and degradability and
also resulting in human health risks due to exposure to contaminants [11].
Several works or researches had been undertaken on the contamination of the soil by
physicochemical parameters, but little has been reported on their levels on soils or
environments used for fruit market activities such as obtained in Port Harcourt. This work
therefore evaluated the contamination of soil samples by some physicochemical parameters
within the environs used as fruit garden market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study location
The Port Harcourt Fruit Garden lies between latitude 4.79938590676 and longitude
7.003756255 at D/line area of the city. It is a market specialized in the sale of fresh fruits and
vegetables and situated opposite NIIT Kaduna Street, D/line, Woji 500084.
Collection of Soil Samples
Soil samples were randomly collected from the Fruit Garden in Port Harcourt at three different
points within the fruit market area with the soil auger at a depth range of 0-30 cm. The samples
collected at a particular designated area or point were mixed together properly to form a
composite sample. The soil auger was washed thoroughly with water after sampling at any of
the locations in order to prevent soil sample interferences. Previously labelled polythene bags
were used in the preservation of samples. The preserved samples were then transported to the
laboratory for pretreatment before examination and analysis to quantify the levels of the
different physicochemical parameters of the soil.
Determination of pH and Electrical Conductivity
The method employed by Bamgbose et al. [12] was applied in the examination of the pH of the
soil. 10g sample of the soil was air dried and then weighed into a 100ml beaker and 200ml
distilled water was then added to the beaker that contains the soil. The soil and water mixture
were stirred using a glass rod and was then allowed to stand for a period of 30minutes. A pH
meter was then place in the mixture at the time when it has settled partially and the pH of the
soil was then measured.
The determination of electrical conductivity of the soil was achieve using a conductivity meter.
The conductivity of the soil was measured using a ratio of 1:5 of soil and distilled water solution.
The WTW model of conductivity meter was used in the electrical conductivity measurements
[13].
Percentage Organic Carbon and Organic Matter
The procedure used by Walkey and Black [14] was adopted in the examination of the quantity
of organic carbon in the soil. About 2g of the previously prepared soil sample was weighed into
a conical flask, and a standard solution of 10ml K2Cr2O7 was then added to the prepared soil
sample and 20ml of concentrated H2SO4 was then added in order that the chloride ions will not
affect the procedure. The prepared solution was allowed to settle down for a period of 30
minutes with occasional stirring. 10ml of distilled water was added into a conical flask that
Page 4 of 15
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 678
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 1, February-2023
contains the solution in order to dilute the content. A ferroin indicator was employed as an
indicator to analyze the excess K2Cr2O7 which was then titrated with a standard 1.0N ferrous
sulphate solution.
The percentage organic carbon in the sample was then calculated using the equation
% Organic Carbon = ((McK2Cr2O7 - McFeSO4) x 0.003 x 100 x F)/ (weight of soil (g)).
Where,
Mc = normality of solution x volume (ml) of solution used
F = correlation factor = 1.33
The percentage organic matter was then calculated using the relation
% Organic Matter = % organic carbon x 1.724
Particle Size Determination
The soil particle size analysis was achieved in line with the method adopted by Bouyoucos [15]
earlier. A 50ml solution of cagon was used in soaking 50g of the previously sieved soil sample
overnight. The already prepared mixture was put into 1000ml volume a measuring cylinder.
The mixture was then added to the 1000ml mark then shaken and then allowed to settle for
about 40 seconds before hydrometer was immersed into it for the sandy content analysis. The
silt and clay contents were examined after 3 hours interval (when the mixture have settled
down) following the same procedure. The temperature at 40 seconds and 3 hours intervals
were obtained simultaneously with the readings of the hydrometer and then designated as T1
and T2, H1 and H2 respectively. The calculations of particle size determination were made thus;
% Sand = 100 – [H1 + 0.2 (T1 – 68) – 2.0]2
% Clay = [H2 + 0.2 (T2 – 68) – 2.0]2
% Silt = 100 – (% sand + % clay)
Determination of Nitrogen, Nitrates, Phosphorus and Phosphate
The level of available nitrogen was measured using the alkaline permanganate method [16]
while the available level of phosphorus was analyzed using the colorimetric method [17]. Both
Nitrates, phosphates, salinity and chlorides levels in the soil were determined using standard
laboratory procedures to quantify their degree of occurrence in the soil.
Page 5 of 15
679
Iyama, W.A., Edori, E.S., Edori, O. S., Nimame, P., Egbenefu, C. O., Timothy, N., Emejuru, S.W., Gbode, Y. L., & Samuel-Harry, F. (2023). Assessment
of Physicochemical Properties of Soils Around Fruit Garden Market in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol - 11(1). 675-689.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.111.14052
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Table 1: Concentrations of Physicochemical Parameters in the Fruit Garden in
December
Physicochemical
Parameters
Stations
1 2 3
pH 7.23 7.43 7.36
Conductivity μS/cm 733.362 761.051 742.864
% Silt 10.30 10.41 10.36
% Sand 83.70 82.30 81.91
% Clay 6.00 7.29 7.73
% Textural Class LS LS LS
% Total Organic Carbon 4.860 5.057 4.809
% Total Organic Matter 8.378 8.718 8.291
Total Nitrogen mg/Kg 0.237 0.281 0.254
Nitrates mg/Kg 1.078 1.146 1.201
Phosphorus mg/Kg 2.964 3.352 3.002
Phosphates mg/Kg 9.092 9.268 9.106
Salinity mg/Kg 184.721 188.395 181.564
Chloride mg/Kg 112.038 120.901 116.184
LS-