Evaluation of Heavy Metal in Soils From Enyimba Dumpsite in Aba, Southeastern Nigeria Using Contamination Factor and Geo-Accumulation Index

Abstract

The manner in which municipal wastes generated are disposed in most urban areas in Nigeria is worrisome. The upsurge in population density and its resultant increase in urbanization and industrialization and the amount of waste generated in Aba, are of great concern. The objective of this research is to evaluate the concentration of some heavy metals in soils in the vicinity of Enyimba dumpsite in Aba, Nigeria. Thirty soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory for some heavy metals by atomic absorption spectrophotometric method and multivariate statistical techniques. Twenty-five of the samples were obtained from the vicinity of the dumpsite while five samples are collected far away from the dumpsite to serve as control samples. The overall decreasing metal concentration in the dumpsite soil is: Cd > Co > Cu > Zn > As > Pb > Mn > Ni > Cr. A positive correlation exists between Cd and organic matter (r = 0.598). Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor showed a moderate contaminated with Cd only while the other metals are in their uncontaminated level. Factor analysis revealed four major components accounting for 78.82% of cumulative variance of the contamination: Cd, Cu, Co and organic matter; Pb, Zn and pH; Mn, As, clay + silt and finally Cr and Ni. From the above observations, it is evident that only Cd showed more pronounced level of pollution than any other metal. The need to replace open dumpsites with well designed sanitary landfills is advocated.

Seasonal variations of heavy metals concentrations and pollution assessment of major dumpsites in Ilisan-Remo, Nigeria

“…The mean concentrations of Cd in this study, were higher than 0.18 to 2.60 mg/kg, which was reported by Amadi and Nwankwoala (24). The concentrations of Cd reported by Victoria and Lajide, were considerably higher than those recorded in soil from the dumpsites studied in Ilisan (25).…”

Identification of heavy metals source within selected active dumpsites in southeastern Nigeria

“…Nekede dumpsite is located along Owerri-Aba express road, close to the Nekede mechanic village. The area of the dumpsite is about two hectares [ 19 ], bound by two rivers, Otamiri to the east and Nworie on the south [ 19 ] and is surrounded by a stretch of residential buildings and farmlands [ 19 ]. The dumpsite is the biggest and the most active in Owerri metropolis; a large volume of all sorts of wastes are dumped there [ 16 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…The area of the dumpsite is about two hectares [ 19 ], bound by two rivers, Otamiri to the east and Nworie on the south [ 19 ] and is surrounded by a stretch of residential buildings and farmlands [ 19 ]. The dumpsite is the biggest and the most active in Owerri metropolis; a large volume of all sorts of wastes are dumped there [ 16 , 19 , 20 ]. The major wastes found there are wastes from households, markets, hotels, offices, schools, industries and hospitals [ 16 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Utility of pollution indices in assessment of soil quality around Madaga gold mining site, Niger state, North-central Nigeria

“…The contamination intensity of the analyzed heavy metals in soils decreased in the following order: Hg > Cd >Pb> As > Fe > Cu > Zn > Ni >Mn> Co. The enrichment of these metals in the soil may be attributed to the anthropogenic activities going on in the area as well geogenic processes such as bedrock dissolution and chemical weathering (Amadi and Nwankwoala, 2013;Amadi, 2011). Majority of the observed elements are contained in the minerals that make up the host rock in the area and are exposed and subsequently released into the soil through human activities such as mining and farming.…”