Open AccessCHARACTERISTICS OF LEACHATE AT IHIAGWA DUMPSITE, IMO STATE NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR SURFACE WATER POLLUTION
Author(s) -
C.T. Nelson,
GT Amangabara,
CO Owuama,
CN Nzeh,
CN Uyo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of advanced academic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2488-9849
DOI - 10.46654/ij.24889849.e7223
Subject(s) - leachate , chemistry , environmental chemistry , manganese , carbonate , zinc , environmental science , nuclear chemistry , organic chemistry
Open dumpsite is the most common way to eliminate solid urban wastes in this part of the world. An important problem associated to landfills and open dumpsite is the production of leachates. The leachates from these dumpsites have many toxic substances, which may adversely affect the environmental health. Thus in order to have a better management of characteristics of Ihiagwa-Nekede waste dump leachates, representative leachate samples were collected and analyzed for Physico-chemical properties and levels of heavy metals in them. Results indicate pH7.38, temperature 28.30 ℃ - 28.40℃, total dissolved solid 124.01mg/l-125.45mg/l, magnesium hardness 4.40mg/l-7.32mg/l, sulphate 3.60mg/l-3.70mg/l, and nitrate 27.00mg/l-27.60mg/l. Other parameters indicated as follows Conductivity1910/-1930.00 /, total chloride 891.72mg/l-891.74mg/l, carbonate 1708.00mg/l-1904.00mg/l, Ammonia 9.39mg/l-9.40mg/l, calcium hardness 373.17mg/l-375.61mg/l, total solid 2423.00mg/l-2454.00mg/l, phosphate 13.52mg/l-13.54mg/l. The heavy metal: cyanide 2.25mg/l-2.33mg/l, zinc 18.08mg/l-18.38mg/l, copper 19.90mg/l20.48mg/l, iron10.67mg/l-10.82mg/l, lead 1.27mg/l-1.41mg/l, and manganese 3.00mg/l-3.61mg/l, all these exceeded the WHO standards. The obtained results showed that the landfill leachates are characterized by high concentrations of heavy metals and other disease causing elements and therefore require urgent treatment to forestall the contamination of groundwater system and the nearby Otamiri River.