GLOBAL JOURNAL OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2636-6002
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/GJEES
Start Year: 2016
Email: gjees@integrityresjournals.org
Investigating the impact of solid waste dumpsites on groundwater quality: A case study of the Mkpuka Obosi Landfill
https://doi.org/10.31248/GJEES2024.146 | Article Number: 67A78A712 | Vol.9 (1) - June 2024
Received Date: 13 March 2024 | Accepted Date: 13 April 2024 | Published Date: 30 June 2024
Authors: Obiabunmo Obiora and Obiekezie Theresa*
Keywords: Groundwater quality, Mkpuka Obosi Landfill, physical and chemical factors, solid waste dumpsites.
Leachate, which refers to the contaminated fluid that results from water percolating through a landfill or waste disposal site, is a significant concern in sub-Saharan Africa. The uncontrolled release of leachate, particularly from dumpsites, is a primary contributor to groundwater pollution in the region. This research aimed to assess the impact of solid waste dumpsites on groundwater quality, specifically focusing on the landfill at Mkpuka Obosi. The study area was divided into eight concentric cells (C1-C8), each containing water and soil samples for analysis. The parameters examined include Temperature (OoC), pH, Iron (Fe2+), Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn2+), Calcium (Ca), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg2+), Suphate (SO2-4), Chloride (Cl-), Nitrate (N03-), Biocarbonate (HCO), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Hardness (TH), Electrical conductivity (EC), for the water analyses, while for soil analyses, pH values, Total organic carbon, Iron, Zinc, Temperature, Sand, Slit, Clay, Electric conductivity and copper were analyzed. The results were compared with relevant standards set by organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO). The findings indicated that parameters such as chemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, chloride, nitrate, sodium, calcium, copper, lead, iron, and electrical conductivity exceeded the recommended standards. This suggests that water contamination from the dumpsite has adversely affected groundwater quality. Analysis of the graphs and tables revealed that the contamination spread decreased proportionally with distance from the dumpsite. As a result, water within approximately 500 m of the centre of the landfill was deemed unsuitable for consumption due to health risks and hazards. The water quality index ranged from 13 to 513, indicating that wells and boreholes located around 500 m from the dumpsite require significant treatment before being considered safe for consumption. The excess presence of sandy soil in the area, attributed to the geological formation, was found to contribute to the rapid flow of contaminants from the dumpsite. Coarse textured soils, being more permeable, have lower sorption potentials, while fine textured soils have slower permeability and higher sorption potentials. Consequently, the high proportion of coarse sandy soil surrounding the landfill favours the accelerated movement of contaminants.
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