Assessment of Heavy Metals Levels in Waste Receptacle Soils in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Heavy Metals Levels in soils used as a waste receptacle in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria were assessed. The heavy metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy methods. The mean levels of the heavy metals investigated in the soil of temporary dumpsites of Rukpokwu were; iron (Fe) 256.649±17.533mg/Kg, lead (Pb) 11.984±3.435mg/Kg, copper (Cu) 9.295±2.075mg/Kg, zinc (Zn) 22.268±3.669mg/Kg, cadmium (Cd) 2.897±0.584mg/Kg, manganese (Mn) 6.586±0.654mg/Kg, chromium (Cr) 12.244±1.834mg/Kg, nickel (Ni) 9.185±2.046mg/Kg, arsenic (As) 2.003±0.284mg/Kg and cobalt (Co) 2.042±0.288mg/Kg. The levels of the studied heavy metals were in the order Fe > Zn > Cr > Pb > Cu > Ni > Mn > Cd > Co > As. The pollution assessment indices used in the evaluation of the heavy metals showed that anthropogenic activities have slightly influenced the concentration of heavy metals in the temporary dumpsites. The indices were contamination factor, which showed low contamination, geo-accumulation indicated not contaminated to moderate contamination, potential ecological risk revealed low risk and potential ecological risk index showed moderate risk. These indices revealed that the studied heavy metals have contaminated the soil slightly but have not reached an alarming level. Keywords: Contamination Indices, dumpsites, heavy metals, pollution, Rukpokwu