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Zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in a crude oil polluted eutric tropofluvent
Chukwuma, M. C.; Eshett, E. T.; Onweremadu, E. U. & Okon, M. A.
Abstract
The study investigated zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in a crude-oil-polluted
Eutric Tropofluvent in Egbema, Southeastern Nigeria. For this purpose, three treatments have been applied: unpolluted
soil, polluted without vegetation and polluted with vegetation with five replicates arranged in a randomized complete
block design. Guided by transect sampling technique, soil sampling was carried out in June 2008. Soil samples were
collected from the three different land units using soil auger at a depth of 0-20 cm. Standard laboratory procedures were
adopted in analysing the soils. Soil generated data were subjected to analysis of variance and correlation analysis.
Results showed highly significant variation (p = 0.01) in bulk density, porosity, silt: clay ratio, pH, effective cation
exchange capacity, percent base saturation, total nitrogen, organic matter, available phosphorus, calcium: magnesium
ratio and zinc. It was found that zinc was higher in crude oil polluted soils than in non-polluted soil and it was below
critical limits. Zinc availability in relation to selected soil properties in the crude oil polluted soils indicated that clay and
organic matter did not affect zinc availability, while pH and effective cation exchange capacity did. A study on zinc
dynamics in crude-oil-polluted soils will certainly provide further information on the management of crude-oil-polluted
soils since it is one of the key micronutrient for crop productivity.
Keywords
Eutric tropofluvent; Soil properties; Spillage; Tropical soils; Zinc availability
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