Soil Contamination and Sustainability of Open Market in Ihiagwa, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The open market system presently adopted in Ihiagwa and across sub-Sahara Africa without proper management of market waste is causing serious concern to environmentalists and society. The case of Ihiagwa is peculiar, due to the high population density resulting from the presence of three big Federal institutions within and around Ihiagwa. In this study, three (3) soil samples were collected from 0-20 cm depth following the direction of natural drainage obtained by drainage analysis. Inversion resistivity measurement conducted showed subsurface lithology to the depth of the water table as shallow (11m) which indicates highly vulnerable. The soil samples were subjected to physiochemical and metal content analysis using standard analytical techniques. The physiochemical analysis of the soil samples revealed organic matter (OM), nitrogen concentration, phosphate, potassium and sodium (Na) to be above the FAO permissible limit, and significant levels of Pb, Zn, Cu and Iron giving a mean of 3.11mg/100g. Soil pollution load index (PLI) is >1 which indicates pollution. The overall analysis strongly confirms that the open market system in Ihiagwa is not environmentally friendly and not a sustainable practice in the area. The lack of waste management and population pressure has subjected the market to serious environmental stress calling for alternative markets such as establishing private shopping malls and plazas in the area.