Abstract

This research paper investigated the elemental composition of soil samples from four selected mechanic workshops in Zaria. A total of eight samples were analyzed at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) Ahmadu Bello University Zaria using standardless X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). From the result, it was found that Silicon (Si) has the highest mean concentration ranging from 0.0013-0.0024 ppm and Ba, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu, V, Mo and Zn having very low concentration witha mean of (0.000035 0.000053) ppm, (0.000009 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000054 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000049 0.000012) ppm, (0.0000052 0.000017) ppm, (0.0000052 0.000029) ppm, (0.0000068 0.00007) ppm and (0.00001 0.000055) ppm respectively. Lead was found in only one sampling point (Samaru Dogon Icce) with an abundance of 0.00018 ppm which is less than the maximum permissible limits (MPL) recommended by W.H.O. Hence, the result shows that there were no much toxic elements in some of the mechanic workshops in Zaria. It is advisable that substances containing heavy metals should not be disposed in farm lands or any dumpsites close to residential areas.

Key words: Heavy metals, soil, contamination, mechanic workshop.