Pollution Status of Solid Waste Disposal Site in Owerri municipal, Nigeria

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Abstract

This study was designed to assess the extent of contamination of soil by heavy metal (Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, As), sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, and total petroleum hydrocarbon within the vicinity of some solid waste disposal sites. Composite soil samples were collected from three different depth profile (0 -10 cm, 10 -20 cm, and 20 -30 cm) in four solid waste disposal sites and a control station at the outskirt of Owerri municipality. Determination of total petroleum hydrocarbon in soil was carried out using Gas Chromatography-Flame ionisation instrument, heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic absorption spectrophotometer while nitrate, sulphate and phosphate were determined using spectrophotometric methods. The results obtained indicated a wide variation in the concentrations of different anions and heavy metals at various sampling sites. Sulphates, phosphates, total petroleum hydrocarbon and heavy metals from the solid waste disposal sites were higher than those obtained from the control soil station. Highest concentrations were recorded for samples within the depth of 0-10 cm. Generally, contamination seems to increase with increase in soil depth. Calculated pollution load index (PLI) ranged from 0.31 to 2.80, which indicated high pollution status. The index also varied with soil depth. However, geo-accumulation (Igeo) index suggested significant contribution of cadmium to soil contamination

Keywords: Soil Contamination, Pollution Index, Sulphate, Phosphate, Nitrate.

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