ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATIONS IN SOILS OF ACID BATTERY WASTE DUMPSITES IN ABA SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA
1Ogu, O.G. and 2Ogwo, P.A.
1Department of Environmental Resource Management, Abia State University Uturu, Uturu, Nigeria
2Department of Environmental Management &Toxicology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
E-mail: ogechi.godson@yahoo.com, pfaikon78@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
A study of heavy metals concentrations in battery waste dumpsites in Aba Southeastern Nigeria (Latitude 50 8’ 59” and Longitude 70 19’ 49”) was conducted. A transect soil survey was used to guide soil sampling. Soil samples (0-20cm) were collected from two dumpsites using a Stainless Steel Auger and the control was collected 100m away from the dumpsites. The samples were air-dried and digested with concentrated HNO4 and HClO4 acids; Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn were determined using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model 211VGP. Data were analyzed statistically using mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation measured in percentage. The mean concentrations of Pb, Cu, Mn, Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Zn in dumpsite 1 (Umuaduru dumpsite) were (1183, 3133, 4550, 416, 3783, 4383, 1216, 886)ppm respectively, while their concentrations in dumpsite 2 (Umuehilegbu dumpsite) were (1666, 3700, 4016, 633, 4333, 4483, 1500, 1234)ppm respectively. The results showed a significant difference between the concentrations of heavy metals studied in the dumpsites and the control (P>0.05). The heavy metals released were found to follow the order; Cd < ZN < Ni < Pb < Cu < Cr < Mn < Zn. The study found that there is an ongoing build up of toxic heavy metals in soil at the dumpsites studied and their concentrations were already higher than the established limits for some metals. The study recommends; prevention of any form of farming on the dumpsites, relocation of the dumpsites out of the city, segregation of wastes at the point of generation, use of geosynthetic clay liners as barriers for the prevention of leachate percolation.