Environmental Impact of Bush Burning on the Physico-Chemistry of Mangrove Soil at Eagle Island, Niger Delta, Nigeria

Wetland soils derive their chemical composition from the sedimentary rock underneath. Among metals produced are trace and nutrient elements which facilitate plant growth. Bush burning near mangrove forest is a common practice that has not been given much attention despite its negative impact on environment. We thus hypothesize application of fire wetland soil will negatively chemistry. collected samples burnt unburnt soilsat different distances point to compare concentration (Calcium (Ca2+), iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Nitrate (NO3-), Phosphate (PO43-) Potassium (K). The result revealed there was significant difference between (P 0.05). Iron had highest overall in (10743.75 ± 1508.39 mg/kg) (8854.02 1734.86 soils. In contrast, no = 0.07). order metal Fe > Mg PO43- Ca2+> K NO3- while . There also correlation distance (r -0.05; P showed does soil, rather it causes an increase probably due addition ash process, fertilizes soil.