Heavy Metal Contamination of Top Soil at Auto-Repair workshops in Cape Coast, Ghana (Published)
Trace metal contamination at 4 selected auto workshops at cape coast Ghana has been ascertained in this study. A total of 18 soil samples from auto-repair workshops and 44 soil samples from control sites were sampled and analyzed using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence technique (EDXRF). Heavy metals like Fe ,Cu, Zn ,Cr, Pb and Mn were analyzed .Mn concentrations were between 364.6713g/g and 1934.063g/g. Cu concentrations were between 42.33g/g and 299.36g/g, Zn concentrations fell between 67.08g/g and 544.26g/g, Cr concentration were between 93.54g/g and 1266.23, Ni concentrations were between75.89g/g and 217.52, Pb concentrations were also between 73.89g/g and 713.65g/g, Fe concentrations were between 21485g/g and 47317.50g/g, which is below its natural occurrence. The enrichment factor (EF) was also used to identify possible levels of contamination from anthropogenic sources. Mechanical shop, Spraying shop, Wielding shop and Electrical shop were contaminated with Fe, Ni, Cu and Mn.
Keywords: Concentration, Contamination, Energy Dispersive X-ray Florescence, Enrichment Factor, Heavy Metals