ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN SOILS AROUND AUTO MECHANIC WORKSHOP CLUSTERS IN CENTRAL AGRICULTURAL STATION, KUMASI-GHANA

The study assessed the level of heavy metals in soils around auto mechanic shops and it effect on soil fertility at Kwadaso central agricultural station in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Ten soil samples from the study area and two controls were collected at the depth of 0-15 cm for laboratory analysis. Heavy metals, soil texture, pH, organic matter content, cation exchange capacity and total nitrogen were analysed. The results showed that most of the heavy metals studied had concentrations above the background level (control). The heavy metal concentration showed an increased pattern of Pb>Fe>Cu>Mn>Cd>Zn. Also the pH, organic matter, nitrogen and cation exchange capacity varied from 6.15, 0.88%, 0.10 % and 4.01cmol (+)/kg to 7.30, 9.09%, 0.57 % and 25.01cmol (+)/kg. This showed a relative reduction in the nutrient levels in the experimental soils compared to the background level (control). The auto mechanic shops have been contributing to the heavy metal contamination of the soil at the Kwadaso Central Agricultural Station in Kumasi