Statistical Analysis and Spatial Distribution of Metals in Soils of Potash Extraction Site in Matara Uku, Nigeria
Mikailu Abdullahi, Muhammad Saleh, Idris Muhammad Chiromawa and Abdulhamid A. Magama
Keywords: Matara Uku, Birniwa, Energy Dispersive X-Ray fluorescence, Enrichment Factor, Contamination Factor, Principal Component Analysis, Nigeria
Abstract
A survey was carried out in the artisan potash extraction site in Matara uku, Jigawa State, Nigeria and its environs to determine the spatial distribution and possible sources of metals. In the study, samples were collected at different locations of the study area for elemental analysis. The samples were analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF) Spectroscopy. The quantification of soil pollution was carried out using Enrichment Factor (EF), geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and Contamination Factor (CF) in order to determine the metal accumulation, distribution and pollution status. The pollution analysis showed that La has the highest enrichment, while Ti has the highest contamination. The principal component analysis extracted three components with eigen value greater than one. The first principal component (PC1) has high loadings of Al, K, Fe, Ti, Ce and Mn whereas the second component (PC2) has high loadings of Ca and Mg. A lithogenic source is presumed for the first and second components since the metals are generally present in the parent material of the soil. The contour maps of Al, K, Fe, Ti, Ca, Mg, and Mn depicted a similar spatial pattern, with contamination hotspots spontaneously spotted at the Northern and Eastern parts of the study area. These indicate that the elements were from the same source, which is in agreement with principal component analysis.