Land Use-Driven Variability in Soil Physiochemistry and Heavy Metals Assessment in Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State

• M. R. Olojugba

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

  Author

• A. C. Ariyo

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

  Author

• T. O. Oladitan

  Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

  Author

• O.R. Omokungbe

  Department of Physical Sciences, School of Science, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

  Author

Anthropogenic land use change significantly impacts soil degradation in tropical West Africa, particularly in South-West Nigeria. This study examined the effects of three land use types—river/stream riparian zone (RS), farmland (FL), and oil palm plantation (OP) on soil properties and heavy metal concentrations at OAUSTECH, Okitipupa, in 2025. Nine soil profiles were sampled to a depth of 120 cm across four horizons, morphological data were collected following the method of USDA Soil survey staff of 2020, disturbed soil samples collected were carefully concealed in nylon bags n, well labeled and taken to laboratory for physical and chemical analysis. Farmland exhibited higher cation exchange capacity (CEC), total organic matter (TOM), total phosphorus (TP), and base saturation (BS). Oil palm soils showed elevated total organic carbon (TOC) but lower nitrogen, while riparian soils had low CEC and high exchangeable acidity. Heavy metals like Pb and Cd were higher in riparian zones, while Fe, Co, and Ni levels were higher in oil palm soils. Multivariate analyses identified key fertility (TOM–TOC–CEC) and agricultural input factors (TP–pH). Soil classifications included Typic Paleustalfs and Orthic Acrisols for FL and OP, and Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts for RS. This study serves as a baseline for soil management and land use planning in the coastal area.

1. M. R. Olojugba, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

2. A. C. Ariyo, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

3. T. O. Oladitan, Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, School of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

4. O.R. Omokungbe, Department of Physical Sciences, School of Science, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Physical Sciences, School of Science, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria

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