Ecological Health Risk Evaluation of Potentially Toxic Metals in Saline Soils Used for Table Salt Production in Awe Salt Mining Community of Nasarawa State

Authors

  • Jude Chinedu Onwuka
    Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2950-8273
  • Daniel Apeh Egyegbola
    Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Bako Danjuma
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria; Department of Basic Sciences, College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Amos Idzi Ambo
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Bilyamin Ishaq
    Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Enebi Estella Jasper
    Department of Chemical Sciences, Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Gladys Nkeiruka Onwuka
    Department of Biochemistry, Covenant University, Ota – Ogun State, Nigeria
    https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5018-5504
  • Lucy Ooja Agho
    Department of Geology, Federal University of Lafia, PMB 146, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
  • Adamu Usman
    Department of Chemistry, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
  • Agu Matthew Onyema
    Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B 5025, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Heavy Metal , Ecological Risk , Soil Contamination , Table Salt Mining , Saline Soil

Abstract

The assessment of potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in saline soils used for table salt production is critically important because salinity can enhance the solubility and transport of metals in soils. This study assessed the concentrations, contamination and ecological risks of selected PTMs in saline soils used for table salt production in Awe Salt Mining Community, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for metal (Al, As, Cr, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentration using Genius-IF energy dispersive X–ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. Enrichment factor (EF), geo–accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI) and ecological risk assessment (ERA) were evaluated using the measured concentrations of the PTMs. Result showed that Fe (37112.29±377.59–117044.29±993.20) was the most abundant metal. Elevated levels of Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn in the investigated saline soils exceeding their respective average shale reference levels, were observed. EF values indicated that the investigated saline soils have very high enrichment of Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn. CF values showed that Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Mn are probably responsible for the high contamination. Cd and PLI revealed high degree of contamination for all investigated saline soils. The presence Co, Cu and Hg may probably be the key controlling factor causing the potential ecological risk. These findings have provided valuable information for effective environmental management strategies and policy to alleviate the influence of PTMs generated from table salt mining environment.

Dimensions

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Published

2026-02-23

How to Cite

Ecological Health Risk Evaluation of Potentially Toxic Metals in Saline Soils Used for Table Salt Production in Awe Salt Mining Community of Nasarawa State. (2026). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(1), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2026.v4n1.754

Issue

Volume 4, Issue 1 (April, 2026), Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (LJSIR)

Section

Physical Sciences
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Copyright (c) 2026 Jude Chinedu Onwuka, Daniel Apeh Egyegbola, Bako Danjuma, Amos Idzi Ambo, Bilyamin Ishaq, Enebi Estella Jasper, Gladys Nkeiruka Onwuka, Lucy Ooja Agho, Adamu Usman, Agu Matthew Onyema (Author)

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Ecological Health Risk Evaluation of Potentially Toxic Metals in Saline Soils Used for Table Salt Production in Awe Salt Mining Community of Nasarawa State. (2026). Lafia Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 4(1), 81-92. https://doi.org/10.62050/ljsir2026.v4n1.754

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