Assessment of Heavy Metals in Urban Soils of Kabwe

Several studies on Kabwe have revealed that the area has been adversely affected by previous mining activities. As a result areas that are adjacent to the old Zinc and Lead mines showed high levels of heavy metal contamination in the soils samples. The aim of this research was to assess the levels and magnitude of contamination of heavy metals in the soils of different settlement areas of Kabwe Zambia. Cadmium Lead Copper and Zinc were analyzed. A total of 15 samples were collected at a depth of 0-30 and 0-20. Of the samples collected 11 were from Chowa three from Lukanga and 1 reference sample near Mulungushi University north of the old mines. The heavy metal analysis was done using the Atom Absorption Spectrometer. The study used a sampling intensity of 100 m. From the soil samples analyzed Zinc had the highest concentration followed by Lead. Copper was next then Cadmium showing no traces.