Abstract
The effects of used lubricated oil (ULO) on soils from some auto mechanic workshops in the Uyo urban of Akwa Ibom State were investigated to assess their influence on some soil physical and chemical properties. The stratified random sampling method was employed to select four automobile workshops through which sixteen (16) soil samples from each were collected and analyzed. The outcome of the study showed that there were significant differences in soil properties of the contaminated soils with those of the control, with variations seen majorly among the soil characteristics of the two sampling points (ULD 1 and 2). Correlations, between pH and electrical conductivity (p< 0.01; r =0.0667) were significant. The gravimetric moisture content correlated negatively with total porosity (p< 0.05; r = - 0.2857) and organic carbon (p< 0.05; r = - 0.3640). Base saturation correlated positively with effective cation exchange capacity (p< 0.05; r = 0.5832). Results further revealed that used lubricant oil changes the soil properties and may negatively affect sensitive bacteria. Excluding properties such as particle size distribution, pH, temperature and nitrogen, all other properties of the soil from the study areas were considerably different from those of the control sites. This contamination considerably changed most of the soil properties and may adversely influence microbial diversity of the area. The application of organic manure will help to improve soil fertility by supplying the deficient nutrients.