Evaluation of Soil Contaminant Level at Dumpsites in Nigeria
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Date
2015
Authors
Ojekunle, Z.O.
Ojajuni, K.O.
Sangowusi, R.O.
Oyebanji, F.F.
Ojekunle, V.O.
Adekitan, A.A.
Odjegba, E.E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elixir Agriculture
Abstract
Some physical chemical characteristics and heavy metal levels in soil samples (Top and Sub) around dumpsites at Obantoko, Lafenwa, and Olomore vicinities of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, were analysed in order to assess the effects of the dumps on the soils. Conventional analytical methods were employed for the determination of these
physicochemical parameters while heavy metals in the soil samples where analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results of the physicochemical analysis showed that the pH values in all the sites ranged from 8.21 to 8.61 indicating alkalinity of the soils. The Total Organic Carbon values ranged from 1.06 to 2.76 indicating presence of some organic matter and some microbiological activities in the soil samples. Conductivity values ranges from 875 to 1119µs/cm indicated significant presence of some soluble inorganic salts in soils studied. For all the physical chemical values recorded, the soil samples at Lafenwa had slightly higher values than those of Olomore, and Obantoko. The mean concentration level of the three locations for Pb for the top and subsoils in Obantoko, Lafenwa, and Olomore were 13.50 and 11.31, 7.64 and 12.44, 9.90 and 11.06 (mgkg-1) respectively and that of for top and subsoil for same locations were Cr 5.76 and 7.01, 7.64 and 12.44, and 4.65 and 6.86 (mgkg-1) while Pb were not detected at all locations except at Lafenwa L2 where 2.24 mgkg-1 was detected in the subsoil. The levels of the metals at the sub-soil were all higher than the top soil at all the locations, except for Obantoko were the value of Pb at the top soil was greater than the value at the subsoil. A consistent trend showing a decrease in the concentration of heavy metals at the topsoil was observed for soil samples. The results from the study show that leaching occurs at dumpsites from the top to the subsoil which could cause a degree of contamination to ground water and living organims. These soils may
therefore constitute a major health risk to the local population, and therefore, need be stringent measures to curtail the adverse effect it may pose to human health and the environment.
Description
Staff publications
Keywords
Dumpsites, contaminant, organic carbon, soil , Dumpsites , Contaminant , Organic carbon , Soil , Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY
Citation
Ojekunle, Z.O [Et...al] (2015). Evaluation of Soil Contaminant Level at Dumpsites in Nigeria.