HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF AGRICULTURAL SOILS AT PINDIGA, AKKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

The concentrations of heavy metals in agricultural soils at Pindiga, Ako LGA, Gombe, were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The mean concentrations of heavy metals in soil samples are as follows, Fe (21.31 mg/Kg), Zn (0.20 mg/Kg), Cd(1.58 mg/Kg),Cr(2.3mg/Kg) and Pb (36.10 mg/Kg). The concentration of heavy metals in samples increased in the following order, Fe > Pb > Cr > Cd > Zn. The mean values for some physiochemical parameters of the water samples are; pH (5.7), moisture (36.1), the concentrations of heavy metals in water samples were less than the permissible limits for heavy metals in soils set by USEPA / WHO.