Assessment of heavy metal contaminants of used engine oil around automobile workshop in Nasarawa local Government area, Nasarawa state, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out on assessment of heavy metal contaminants of used engine oil around automobile workshops in Nasarawa Local Government Council, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Samples of Soil, water, fluted pumpkin leaves, spinach and used engine oil were collected from selected mechanic workshops within the Nasarawa Local Government Area for both rainy and dry seasons were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. These samples were subjected to analysis for eight elements; Co, Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cr and Pb using Inductively Coupled Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the analysis carried out for both rainy and dry seasons showed clearly that there is more concentration of the heavy metals analyzed in the dry season than that of the rainy season. The result also shows that apart from the mechanic workshop, some of the metals have high concentrations in some control samples. The results of the analysis showed that most of the heavy metals examined in some samples were above the World Health Organization limit for human consumption.