IMPACT OF ASPHALT MIXING ACTIVITIES ON THE PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SOIL WITHIN PRODUCTION AREAS IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS, RIVERS STATE, NIGER DELTA, NIGERIA

This present study evaluated the impact of asphalt mixing on the soil physical and chemical characteristics. Soil samples were collected from asphalt three asphalt production sites in Port Harcourt Metropolis. The mean values of the physicochemical parameters were thus: pH had 6.257±0.070, electrical conductivity was 113.2±5.385 mg/Kg, total organic carbon was 2.440±0.051%, total organic matter had 4.211±0.086% and nitrate was 0.456±0.028 mg/Kg respectively. Others were; 3.60±0.535% for moisture content, 11.17±0.624% for clay content, 3.00±0.816% for silt, 86.83±0.23% for sand. The soil nutrient parameters were phosphate; 3.63±0.205 mg/Kg, ammonia; 0.144±0.002 mg/Kg, nitrogen; 0.120±0.006 mg/Kg and sulphate; 1.130±0.08 mg/Kg. The results of this study suggests that even though the levels of the soil parameters were within acceptable range, but may have negative impact on the soil in the near future that may possible affect its usage for other activities after the site may have been abandoned.