Roadside soil samples were collected from four sites (heavy traffic area (Wurukum); industrial site (Gboko road); residential area (Federal Lowcost) and Federal Medical Center (Wadata) representing different activities across the Benue Metropolis. At each of the sample site, roadside soils were collected at different distance from the edge of the main road (2, 10, 30, 40 and 60 meters). In each of the distance, roadside soil were collected at three depth of 0 -1 cm, 2 -4 cm and 4 -6 cm for the determination of pH, organic matter, organic carbon, Cu, Cd, Fe, Pb, As, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni. pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter and organic carbon were determined using standard procedures, while heavy metals were determined using Perkin-Elmer Analyst 300 Atomic Absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Zinc was observed to show the higher levels in all the sampling sites, such higher level can be related back to the wear-and-tear of vehicle components as a result of the stop-start traffic patterns and brake pads. The concentrations of all the metals in the four sampling sites decreased exponentially with distance from the edge of the road and dropped to the minimum levels at about 60 meters. Similarly, mean concentrations of Cu, Fe, Pb, As, Mn, Zn, Cd and Ni were significantly higher around the industrial area (Gboko road) and heavy traffic (Wurunkum) areas than other sampling areas followed an increasing trend with the increase in depth. The vertical movement of all the metals, exhibited predominant association with soil pH and organic carbon. From the results of this study, the pH of the roadside soils from all the sampling points ranged from 4.56 to 7.71, which enhances increased of heavy metals down the soil profiles. Organic carbon content ranged of 0.27% to 5.44% across all the sampling points appears to increase the mobility of all the metals to a depth 6 cm. The values of the heavy metals suggest that automobiles and traffic activities are a major source of these metals in the roadside soil within the study area. Also, with the exception of Pb, Fe and Cd, the levels of Cu, As, Mn, Zn and Ni in the present study were lower as compared with results found by other researcher in various countries worldwide.

Mechanochemical synthesis of Co(II) and Cu(II) aspirin complexes was carried out by simple grinding of metal (II) acetates with aspirin without any solvent. Also conventional preparation of the above complexes was carried out for comparison purposes using the solution-based method. The products of mechanochemical synthesis were characterized by comparison of solubility, melting points, conductivity values, magnetic moment and IR analyses with those of ligands and conventional solution-based products. The IR spectral and analytical data of the complexes were similar for both products of the two synthetic routes suggesting the formation of identical compounds. Job’s method analyses suggested 1:2 metal to ligand ratio. The elemental analyses results revealed identical percentage composition of each element found in the products as compared to those of calculated percentages. The complexes have low values of molar conductance (4.24-6.60Ω-1 cm2mol-1 ) implying that they are non-electrolytes in DMSO. The complexes were all soluble in dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide. The complexes were mostly soluble in non-polar solvents. All the products decomposed at a temperature range of 177.0-181.9oC higher than that of their ligand revealing their more stable nature. The magnetic moment values obtained proved the paramagnetic nature of the synthesized complexes. The products and the ligand were screened against three bacteria isolates; Escherichia coli, Kledsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and two fungi isolates; Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucus specie for antimicrobial activity. The results shows that the ligand was inactive against all the test organisms; the complexes were active in all test concentration, with only Co(asp)2 complex inactive against Staphylococcus Aureus at a concentration of 15µg/disc.