Evaluation of the Distribution of Heavy Metals in Soil around Electronic Dumpsite in Owutu, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The soil from antiquity has been the primary repository of all wastes. Millions of tons of toxic e-waste from a variety of sources annually find their way into dumpsites. The assessment of the levels of Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Cu in soil from Owutu dumpsite in Ikorodu, Lagos State was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Control samples were also taken at 1 km away from the location. At the dumpsite, the concentration of Pb, Cr, Cd, Zn and Cu were found to range between 0.85 to 2261.15 mg/kg, 8.05 to 111.2 mg/kg, 1.05 to 46.6 mg/kg, 310.45 to 5443.7 mg/kg and 160.3 to 8246.3 mg/kg while that of the control sites range between 52.45 to 72.05 mg/kg, 18.1 to 20.80 mg/kg, 0.25 to 3.2 mg/kg, 126.55 to 140.7 mg/kg and 181.45 to 185.85 mg/kg respectively. Heavy metal concentrations at the dumpsite were found to be higher than those at the control site and that of the regulatory bodies. Assessment of the contamination level of the soils at the dumpsite was done by calculating the metal contamination factor and Geoaccumulation index. The results revealed that there is gross contamination of the dumpsite with heavy metals due to the e-waste disposed on the site.