ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED SOIL QUALITY INDICATORS IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

Abstract

The research assessed selected soil quality indicators in Benin City, Nigeria. Eleven soil samples (0 - 15 cm) were collected randomly from selected urban land use areas (market, fuel filling station, cattle lairage, abattoir, sawmill, waste dumpsite, granite dump, carwash, scraps metal dump, auto-mechanic workshop and horticultural garden). Soil texture, bulk density (BD), pH, organic matter (SOM) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were determined using standardized procedures. Soil parameters were interpreted using US EPA (2011) threshold values. The results established that urban land use had varied (good condition, moderate and severe) extent of impacts on the investigated urban soil quality indicators in the study area. Taking into consideration the observed severed status of BD, CEC and SOM in the urban soils, compost applications are recommended.