Physicochemical Assessment of Soil Deterioration in Bukan Sidi and New Garage Auto-Mechanic Villages within Lafia Metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

The level of soil pollution and deterioration was investigated in two auto-mechanic villages (Bukan Sidi and New Garage) within Lafia metropolis of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Physicochemical parameters were analysed based on standard protocols. Total organic carbon in the mechanic villages was higher than in the control site; the highest was 1.58% at 0-10 cm depths of the two mechanic sites. Available phosphorus was 5.27±0.085 on the average ranging from 4.57 ppm to 6.02 ppm with significant differences across locations (F=14541.65, P=0.000). Magnesium was the lowest among all inorganic elements (0.05±0.008) with its maximum value at New garage. Phosphorus, potassium, sodium and calcium recorded highest mean values at Bukan sidi. The mean sodium at 0-10 cm depth of Bukan Sidi (0.32±0.003) was the highest recorded in three locations. The concentrations of all elements in soils of the two mechanic sites are significantly higher than those in the control site. Soil exchangeable acidity (EA) values in the mechanic villages are very low compared to the control sit; it ranged from 0.3 to 0.83 Meq/100 g. Bukan Sidi had the highest mean C.E.C of 2.85±0.003 at 20-30 cm depth. Significant differences exist in the distribution of soil particles across locations (P