Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Soil characteristics and metals contents are important components for playground safety, but these are lacking in third world countries. In the present study thirty six soils samples from nine preselected public schools playgrounds were characterized using standards methods. Results revealed poorly equipped and maintained playgrounds with pH < 7 for all playground soils indicating acidic soils while organic matter ranged from Ikenegbu primary school (0.2 %) to World Bank Primary school (2.8%), sodium adsorption ratio ranged from Model Nursery school (0.41 (Cmolkg-1)05) to Shell camp primary (0.77 (Cmolkg-1)05). Other physicochemical characteristics had values comparable to those of typical acid sand derived soils whose textural class is sandy loam. Electrical conductivity varied widely amongst playgrounds ranging from Housing Estate primary school (3.2 S/cm) to Shell Camp Primary school (9.5 S/cm) indicating presence of some soluble inorganic salts. These soils characteristics therefore constitute major favorable conditions for the release of toxic metals in the soil or runoffs.
Show abstract
Full Text
