A recent study, led by researcher Osemudiamhen Destiny Amienghemhen, has delved into elemental speciation within environmental samples, highlighting the potential of poultry litter in mitigating heavy metal contamination in soil.
The research, aimed at understanding the environmental risks posed by pollutants and exploring remedial measures, focused on the application of poultry litter to immobilise heavy metals in contaminated soil.
Conducted by a team of scientists, the study utilised the BCR (Community Bureau of References) sequential extraction procedure to fractionate heavy metals in soil samples collected from a lead-acid battery dumpsite.
The soil, characterised by its physiochemical properties, underwent analysis both before and after amendment with poultry litter.
Key findings revealed that the pH of the parent soil fell within the range of 2.05-2.10, with other properties such as water holding capacity, bulk density, and moisture content also documented.
Textural analysis indicated negligible clay content and significant proportions of silt and sand. Moreover, parameters like cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter were assessed.
Regarding heavy metal concentrations, the study found varying levels of lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) in both the parent and amended soil samples.
Concentrations ranged from 14.55 to 69.60 mg/kg for Ni, 193.41 to 620.73 mg/kg for Pb, and 7.50 to 274.80 mg/kg for Cr.
Notably, as the proportion of poultry litter amendment increased from 0% to 15%, there was a discernible decrease in heavy metal concentrations.
One significant observation was the reduction in heavy metal mobility in poultry litter-amended soil compared to the parent soil, indicating a shift towards more stable fractions post-amendment.
The contamination factor analysis revealed a notable decrease in the level of contamination for most metals after amendment, suggesting the efficacy of poultry litter in remediation efforts.
In conclusion, the study led by Osemudiamhen Destiny Amienghemhen underscores the potential of poultry litter as a viable means to remediate lead-acid-contaminated soil while simultaneously enhancing soil fertility.
These findings contribute to ongoing efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable land management practices.
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