Establishing Risk Assessment from Reclaimed Nekede Mechanic Village Owerri, Nigeria

The current resettlement of Nekede Auto-Mechanic village by Imo State government of Nigeria created a sparse piece of land awaiting government utilization. Risk assessment was carried out on the land using existing boreholes and soil to determine land utilization potential. Analysis of the physicochemical water parameters showed that there was no contamination of boreholes. The high value of COD correlated with the high levels of Fe in soil and water samples. Heavy metals concentrations showed that Fe was very much present in the soil while Pb, Cd and Cu had reduced concentrations. Risk assessment for the soil samples showed that Fe had the highest mean and median value. The highest mean value for water was Cu metal. Highest variance value was Cu in soil while Pb had the lowest value in water. Hazard quotient of water samples showed that hazards existed for Cd, Cu and Pb but at a moderate level for Fe. Estimated daily/weekly water intake values were all below WHO/FAO standards. The soil enrichment factor showed no enrichment for Pb, minimal enrichment for Cd, moderate enrichment for Cu and significant contamination for Fe. Ecological risk assessments for the heavy metals were at low ecological risk. Potential ecological index depicts Fe and Cd at a considerable level of ecological risk. Likewise, contaminants existed at the nearby Otamiri river due to dredging and nearby waste dumps. The anthropogenic activity at the Otamiri river posed a serious environmental concern if not controlled and reclaimed. Hence, the reclamation of Nekede auto mechanic village will not be suitable for agricultural or recreational purposes.