Status of Some Selected Micronutrients of Two Contrasting Wetland Soils in Southern Nigeria

Wetlands are essential for the biosphere's life support systems, but they are suffering severe degradation due to increased human activity. The chemical properties of these soils, particularly the availability of essential micronutrients, can significantly impact their ecological function and agricultural sustainability. This study aimed to assess the available (extractable) forms of selected micronutrients in two contrasting wetland soils in southern Nigeria. A total of 54 soil samples were collected from two different sites, Akure and Abakaliki. The samples were analyzed for available Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), and Manganese (Mn). The results were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. The wetland soils in Akure showed significantly higher concentrations of available Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn compared to the soils in Abakaliki. Specifically, the concentrations in Akure were: Fe (104.68 mg/kg), Zn (0.21 mg/kg), Cu (0.40 mg/kg), Ni (0.14 mg/kg), and Mn (0.80 mg/kg). In contrast, the concentrations in Abakaliki were lower: Fe (44.61 mg/kg), Zn (0.05 mg/kg), Cu (0.26 mg/kg), Ni (0.35 mg/kg), and Mn (0.55 mg/kg). The results further indicated that the concentrations of these available micronutrients decreased significantly with increasing soil depth. The study highlights the importance of assessing the bioavailable micronutrient status of wetland soils to better understand their health and guide conservation efforts. These findings provide valuable information for wetland management, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring to maintain their functionality and sustainability for agricultural use.