Evaluation of the Heavy Metals Composition of Soil at E-waste Dumping Sites

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) has become a subject of growing ecological concern in developing nations due to legal/illegal import of electronics from developed countries. Soil samples were collected from e-waste dumping sites in Arakale and Karakata, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. The samples were analysed for heavy metals with the aid of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The mean concentrations of cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc and copper from the two locations range from 4.24±0.31 to 9.73±0.39; 113.66±1.03 to 261.63±3.58; 21.42±0.27 to 56.92±0.53; 108.71±0.82 to 197.98±2.22 and 19.79±0.32 to 62.88±0.91 mg/kg respectively. There was a gradual decrease in heavy metals concentrations at various distances away from the study site. The mean concentrations of metals observed in this study were found below the recommended standard limits of heavy metals in soil by United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the European Union. However, cadmium was found above the recommended standard limits of heavy metals in soil, thus their potential availability and possible effects on human, plants and the ecosystem at large.