Profiling and Characterization of Environmental Quality of Leachates from Selected Dumpsites in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study profiled and characterized environmental quality of selected dumpsite leachates in Imo State with emphasis on Nekede, Worldbank, Irete and Orji areas of the state. Leachates were collected under stringent sample collection protocols from the selected dumpsites and analyzed. Samples were collected from three different sampling points of the dumpsite and bulked to form representative sample for each sampling site. The samples were analyzed for a number of standard physical and chemical parameters using standard analytical protocols and compared with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) benchmark. The result of the analysis showed that the values of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solid, temperature, BOD, COD, CO, salinity, sulphate, chloride, turbidity, nickel, chromium, lead, and cadmium were above FMENV limit; while nitrate, sulphate and zinc (from Worldbank, Irete and Orji), were below FMENV detectable limit. The outcome of the study is a pointer to the fact that the assayed leachates have high pollution potentials. There is possibility of gradual buildup of contaminants in the study area’s dumpsites, which could pose a serious threat, including the inhabitants around the vicinity. The study underscores the need for continual monitoring of the dumpsite leachates, and possibly an upgrade to a sustainable engineered landfill, to forestall possible pollution problems of other components of the environment such as aquatic bodies in future.