This study was conducted at Bokkos and Mangu local government areas of plateau state, Nigeria. Soil sample at varying depth(0 – 10 cm, 10 – 20 cm and 20 – 30 cm)were analyzed for heavy metals. This is to ascertain the effect of leaching in heavy metals concentration at various soil depths and to understand the phenomenon of heavy metals accumulation in plants. Soil samples were collected at six different locations (Batura, Mangor, Mbar, Kirang, Ampang and Bwai) in the two study areas. The samples were digested and analyzed for Cr, Ni, Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb Using standard procedures. The results showed high concentration of metals analyzed, with highest concentration of each metal as follows; Cr (2.59 ± 0.81µg/g); Ni (3.60 ± 081µg/g); Zn (1.19 ± 0.68µg/g); Cu (1.92 ± 0.03µg/g); Mn (4.79 ± 0.12µg/g); Fe (52.27 ± 2.81µg/g) and Pb (0.45 ± 0.16µg/g). Among all the metals analyzed, Fe showed highest concentration while Pb showed the lowest concentration at all depth. The values obtained were observed to be statistically significant at p˂0.05. All values obtained were above the WHO permissible limit, therefore the soil of Bokkos and Mangu local government areas were found to be polluted at the time of this study which may lead to possible contamination of plant cultivated on them.
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