Global Journal of Earth and Environmental Science

This study examined the impacts of Used Acid-Lead Batteries on the physicochemical properties of the soil of Mgbuka Obosi in Idemili North L.G.A. of Anambra State. Six soil samples were collected for this study. Four (4) soil samples were collected from Mgbuka Obosi, while two (2) samples were collected from control sites about 2 km away from Mgbuka Obosi. The two control sites were presumed to be unaffected by ULAB-related contamination, providing a baseline for comparison. The soil samples were taken to the laboratory (Docchy Analytical Laboratories and Environment Services Limited), air dried and sieved through a 2 mm sieve for soil analysis. In the test locations, silt content ranged from 6.9 to 19.4%, while in the control locations, significantly higher silt levels were recorded (29.2% in Control 1 and 38.7% in Control 2). The pH values recorded across the test locations reveal a significant level of acidification, with Location 2 exhibiting the lowest pH value of 2.15. Comparatively, the control locations exhibited much higher pH values (5.30 in Control 1 and 6.23 in Control 2), which is indicative of more neutral soil conditions and better overall soil health. The organic matter content in the test locations ranged from 4.261% to 4.911%, slightly lower than in the control locations (5.275% and 6.312%). The hypothesis, which states that there is no significant difference between the physicochemical parameters of the soils of Mgbuka Obosi and those of the control areas, was tested using the Independent Samples t-test. From the Independent Samples Test, t(12) = 2.365, p = 0.036, with a p-value of <0.05 means that the null hypothesis of no significance difference is rejected, while the alternative hypothesis of significance difference is accepted. This implies that there is a significant difference between the physicochemical parameters of the soils of Mgbuka Obosi and the control areas, in Idemili North L.G.A. of Anambra State. From the findings, it is recommended that immediate soil remediation strategies should be implemented in the affected areas. Techniques such as phytoremediation, soil washing, or the use of chelating agents can help remove or stabilise contaminated soils. This will help restore soil fertility and reduce the risk of bioaccumulation of contamination in the food chain.