LABORATORY STUDY OF CONDUCTIVE PROPERTIES OF CONTAMINATED SOIL FROM MAIGANGA COAL MINE SITE AND KUMO TOWN OF GOMBE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

As industrial activities increase, the risk of contamination of soil in Maiganga coal mine site
and Kumo town of Akko Local Government Area of Gombe state in Nigeria is becoming
higher. In this study, a laboratory test of the conductive properties of contaminated soil from
Maiganga coal mine site and kumo town was conducted. Five (5) soil samples were collected
from Maiganga coal mine site and five (5) from Kumo town of Akko local government, Gombe
state. The samples were collected manually, transferred into plastic containers, and transported
to the laboratory. The conductive properties of the soils were obtained in their natural states
before it was determined after the samples have been treated with varying concentration of
engine oil, detergent and animal dung. Electrical conductivity meter was used to determine the
electrical conductivity. After treatment of the samples with different concentration of the
contaminants, it was found that electrical conductivity increases with increase in concentration
of the contaminants in all the samples. Exceptional cases were found in sample 5 and 8, sample
5 from Maiganga and sample 8 from Kumo. The electrical conductivity of the samples was
determined by varying the concentration of contaminants. From the data obtained electrical
conductivity increases with increase in the concentration of determinants. Based on the major
findings secured, general conductive properties of contaminated soil samples have been
determined in this study to investigate variation with contaminants concentrations.