Geochemical Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution as Impacted by Municipal Solid Waste at Abloradjei Waste Dump Site, Accra-Ghana (original) (raw)
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This study was carried out to quantitatively assess the heavy metal pollution level of soils collected from Dana steel limited dumpsite, katsina state, Nigeria using Potential ecological risk index, Hazard quotient and geochemical accumulation index.. Soil samples were collected from the dumpsite and control site at depths ranges 0-<20cm,20-<40cm,40-<60cm and 60-<80cm.Flame Atomic Absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to obtain the composition and Concentration(mg/kg) of the eight studied heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Co, Ni, Cr, Pb and As).the obtained concentrations(mg/kg) were compared with the WHO and Romanian guidelines for the legal permissible heavy metal concentration in soils. Based on these guidelines, it has been established that all the observed heavy metals in the dumpsite soils have concentrations above the WHO limit except Cobolt, world median and the Romanian threshold values. The concentrations of the heavy metals analyzed were subjected to computations of ecological risk index (ERI), geochemical accumulation index (I-geo) and hazard quotient. The obtained results were subjected to Univariate descriptive statistics. The mean geochemical accumulation index characterizes Zn and Cu in the moderate category, while Ni, Co, Cd and As in the unpolluted category. The mean Ecological risk index characterizes Zn, Ni and Cd in low potential ecological risk and Cu in considerable ecological risk. The mean Hazard quotient classifies all the studied metals in the polluted category. Inter-element correlation was observed among the concentrations of the studied heavy metals in the dumpsite and in the control area. The results reveal the pollution potential of the industrial waste dumping which suggested that the dumpsite was seriously contaminated with all the observed heavy metals and the need for proper waste management and immediate implementation of remediation measures by the relevant authority to avert the consequences that it can pose on public health and environment.
Agricultural Engineering International: The CIGR Journal, 2019
This study examines the pollution and geo-accumulation indices and the ecological assessment of heavy metal concentrations in dump sites in Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States of North Central Nigeria. Analysis of the soil from the dumpsites indicates the presence of Aluminium, Chromium, Copper, Manganese, Iron, and Zinc at the various dump sites. The accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils is of increasing concern because of food safety, potential health risks and its detrimental effects on the soil ecosystem. The pollution Index of Cr is an alarming 30.83, 9.69, 13.21, 24.33, 24.10 and 16.54 in Lokoja, Kabba, Okene, Borgu, Bida, and Minna respectively. The concentration of Cu was observed to be 48.10, 29.57 and 29.41 in Borgu, Kabba and Minna respectively while the pollution index of Fe was 10.36 in Okene and 15.33 in Kabba. The result of this study shows that heavy metals are present in the study area at the different level of contamination, The geological accumulation of ...
Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Soils from Dumpsites within Umuahia, Nigeria
Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals at five dumpsites (1-5) in Umuahia, Nigeria was carried out. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0, 5 and 10 m from each dumpsite and from a control site. Samples of water leaf and African Spinach leaf were also collected and analysed for heavy metal ions. Soil physicochemical parameters were determined using official and recommended methods while heavy metal ion concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results obtained indicated that the texture of soil samples were predominantly sandy loam while pH values ranged from 6.21±0.37 to 7.70±0.29. Organic matter content ranged from 1.65±0.52 to 4.15±0.36 % while electrical conductivity had a range of 98.47±7.25-201.57±15.86 µS/cm across the dumpsites. Mean concentrations of heavy metal ions in soils from the dumpsites were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those from the control site. Average metal pollution indices showed that soils in the dumpsites are unpolluted except cadmium in Dumpsites 4 and 5. Degree of contamination values showed low degrees of contamination but enrichment factors for Pb, Cd and Cr in some Dumpsites indicated significant enrichments. All dumpsites had geo-accumulation indices less than 1.00 indicating unpolluted soil except Pb and Cr in some Dumpsites which showed moderate pollution. Ecological risk and potential ecological risk indices indicated low ecological risk. Mean concentrations of cadmium ions in the two vegetables from the dumpsites exceeded the Codex maximum limits for Cd in leafy vegetables. Although severe pollution is not pronounced for soils within the study dumpsites, it is recommended that measures should be engaged to control waste disposal in these dumpsites since heavy metals can bioaccumulate and increase in concentration to severe the environmental quality of the dumpsites in the near future.
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2016
Risk characterization of the agricultural soils in the mining areas of Singhbhum copper belt was done by determining the total concentrations of metals by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and assessing the potential ecological and human health risk. The concentrations were above the average shale values for most of the metals. Principal component analysis showed anthropogenic contributions of Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Pb and Cr in the soils. Ecological risk assessment revealed that 50% of the soil samples were at moderate to very high ecological risk. Health risks for adults and children were quantified using hazard quotients (HQ), hazard index (HI) and Cancer risks for the oral, dermal and inhalation pathways. The HQs for all the metals except As and Co were below 1, which suggested that non-carcinogenic risks of metal exposure to soils were generally assumed to be safe. However, considering all the metals and pathways, the HI for adult and children was 0.71 and 5.61, respectively suggesting appreciable risk to local
Bayero University Kano, Nigeria, 2015
This paper assessed the heavy metals pollution in irrigated soil of salanta river valley of Sharada industrial area with aim of assessing the potential ecological risk of Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn. Soil samples were collected from five plots randomly selected along the stream and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn) and pH were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and pH meter respectively. The mean values and standard deviation of heavy metals in the study area shows that there is variation in the mean values among the heavy metal in the study area in which Cr recorded mean values of 2.30mg/kg ± 0.45, Cu 1.01 mg/kg ±0.78, Cd 3.02 mg/kg ± 0.66, Zn 26.4 mg/kg± 5.45 and mean pH 6.8 ± 0.51. The Cd, Cu and Zn were found below European regulatory values, the mean value of Cd (3.02mg/kg) is found above EU regulatory values (3.0mg/kg) and the pH value of the study area shows that the soil is slightly acidic and can influence the availability and solubility of the heavy metals in the area. The assessment also show that Cd (Pij,= 1.0), Cu (Pij,= 0.007) and Zn (Pij,= 0.088) are heavily polluted the soil of the area, and also slightly polluted with Cr (Pij,= 0.025). However, the potential ecological risk assessment show that Cr (Er i = 0.005) and Cu (Er i = 0.003) have low potential ecological risk in the area; Zn (Er i = 0.04) has moderate potential ecological risk while Cd (Er i = 0.088) is considerable potential ecological risk in the soil of study area. It was recommended that the industries should treat their waste water before discharge and farmers should avoid using waste water directly, sewage sludge and effluent for watering and manure respectively.
Science domain international , 2019
The study investigate a series of selected heavy metal pollution of soil, the extent of their uptake by Telfairia occidentalis and Amaranthus cruentus as well as their ecological risk around dumpsite in Chanchaga Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected at 15 cm depth with the aid of soil auger and vegetable samples were collected from dumpsite and other samples with no activities served as control. The soil samples were collected at random and their physicochemical parameters such as pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, organic matter, total carbon and exchangeable cations (i.e., K + , Mg 2+ and Na +) using a standard method and concentrations of the Original Research Article Oguh et al.; AJEE, 10(2): 1-16, 2019; Article no.AJEE.51487 2 heavy metals in soils and vegetables, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb were analyzed using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The ecological health risk assessment from the consumption of these vegetables was calculated using standard methods. The result showed a significant (p-value) increase of AC and TO in test soil samples relative to the control soils. The pH of the soil in dumpsite and control site was 5.93, and 7.35 respectively. Mean concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb in the dump site were 6.35, 4.84, 6.67, 7.35, 5.72 and 4.96 mg/kg while the control site were 1.18, 0.28, 1.26, 6.83, 1.19 and 3.54 mg/kg respectively which was below the WHO/FAO limits of As (20), Cd (3.0), Cr (100), Cu (100), Hg (2.00) and Pb (50 mg/kg) for soil. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb recorded in AC dump site were As (6. mg/kg) which were above the WHO/FAO permissible limits (0.5, 0.20, 0.3, 3.0, 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg) respectively for edible vegetable. The concentrations of heavy metals in soils and vegetables from the dumpsite soil were significant (p < 0.05) from the controls. The bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for the vegetable showed that they exclude the element from soil. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard index (HI) show that there is no harmful effect since the values obtain were not greater than >1. But continuous consumption can accumulate in the food chain especially for children. This study showed that the soils and vegetables within the vicinity of the dumpsites were polluted by heavy metals which can pose health risk. The study also calls for proper waste management practices and policy implementation.
Assessing heavy metal contamination and ecological risk of urban topsoils in Tarkwa, Ghana
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2022
Investigating the mechanisms that influence the concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, and Cd) and possible sources of these elements is vital in developing lake management strategies and conserving lake ecosystems. This is the first systematic research focusing on the content, distribution, and origin of heavy metals in Poyang Lake area, the largest freshwater lake in China. Samples were collected, and the concentration of trace elements was measured. The distribution, sources, and potential ecological risk, which has undergone rapid economic development and intensive anthropogenic activity, was evaluated. Multivariate statistical analyses were carried out to determine the relationship between these trace elements and to identify the possible pollution sources. Assessment methods were carried out by applying the geoaccumulation index (I geo) along with potential ecological risk indices (PERI) and USEPA guidelines. The results show that: (1) in comparison to Chinese Soil Standard I, the study area was polluted with Cd and Cr, which had an average concentration that was higher than the Class I criteria. However, the results showed that the heavy metal concentration of Cd was lower than that in other areas. (2) The correlation analysis indicates that Pb and Cd may potentially have the same pollution source. (3) The geoaccumulation (Igeo) and potential ecological risk index (PERI) of these metals were evaluated. The average pollution degree of Igeo decreased in the following order: Cd [ Cr [ Ni [ Cu [ Zn [ Pb [ As, which is similar to that observed from the EF values. PERI varied between 48.64 and 453.45 for all metals, and the general average was calculated as 113.71. Both Igeo and ER indicate that the study area was polluted by Cd. The results of FA show that 87.90 % of the variance could be explained by three factors and an independent variable. The research results obtained from this study can provide the scientific impetus to create policies for the economic development and environmental protection in Poyang Lake and other areas of the world.
Heavy metals constitute indispensable raw materials in industries, agriculture, medicine and technology contributing to socioeconomic life of man. Though heavy metals are elements required by plant and animals, the toxic level of the metals in soil and water can create serious threats to human health and his environment. The focus of this study is to examine the possible dangers that arbitrary dumping of refuse within residential areas could cause to the environment and the people. Fifteen (15) active dumpsites located between Latitude N07 o 47 ﺍ to N07 o 52 ¹ and Longitude N003 o 47 ﺍ to E003 o 58 1 were sampled at 10cm depth to the surface. They were air-dried in the laboratory, sieved to 75µm size and pulverized for geochemical analysis using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS) method. Results show average values of metal concentration in the soils as Fe (49,032.68ppm), Pb (73110.21ppm), Mn (63.57ppm), Cu (21.20ppm), Ni (6.39ppm), Co (0.04ppm), Zn (28.19ppm), Cd (0.05ppm) and Cr (3.61ppm). Heavy metal pollution in the soils were assessed using geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (Cf), and pollution load index (PLI). Results show that the soils are extremely contaminated with Pb but moderately contaminated in Fe while Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Zn, Cd and Cr all show low level of contamination. The pollution load index of Fe and Pb show high values. The overall results indicated that Fe and Pb are major source of potential hazards in the study area.
SN applied sciences, 2021
The incidence of heavy metal contamination in Zamfara State, northern Nigeria, due to artisanal mining in some villages has resulted in the pollution of a vast area of land and water. This study evaluated the extent of environmental risks caused by heavy metals. It involved five (5) villages (Bagega, Dareta, Sunke, Tunga, and Abare) where mining activities were taking place and Anka town with no record of mining activities served as control. In each of the five villages, three sites (3) were identified as a mining site, processing site, and village making a total of sixteen (16) sites. Bulked soil samples were collected in triplicate and analyzed for iron, lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, and nickel using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Measured concentrations of the heavy metals in soils were then used to calculate the pollution and ecological risk pose by heavy metals. Their concentrations were in the order Fe > Pb > Cr > Zn > Cd > Ni, with Pb and Cd having a concentration higher than permissible levels for soils and accounted for 98.64% of the total potential ecological risk. Also, all the different pollution indices examined showed that all the sites were polluted with Cd, and all the processing sites were polluted with Pb. This reveals that processing sites pose more risk to heavy metal contamination. Correlation analysis showed a highly significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation between Pb and Zn, Cr and Ni, and a significant (p < 0.01) positive correlation between Fe and Pb, Zn and Cr. The principal component analysis suggested that Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni likely originated from the same source, i.e., mining activities, and Fe and Cd originated from the abundant parent material in the study area.
This study was carried out to quantitatively assess the heavy metal pollution level of soils collected from different landfill and solid waste dumpsite in keffi metropolis of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from different landfill and dumpsites in Keffi metropolis at the depth of 0-30 cm. A total of 5 random samples per location and composited to obtain a laboratory sample. The collected soil sample were allowed to dry under normal temperature within soil sample preparation room of Department of Agronomy Nasarawa State University Shabu Lafia Campus. The analysis for heavy metal was conducted using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The levels of concentration these metals varied across soil among sampling point. The mean order of heavy metal concentration in Keffi is Zn>Fe>Mn>Pb>Al>Cu>Se>Ni>As>Hg respectively. The pollution indices such as Contamination factor (CF), Pollution load index (PLI), Contamination degree (Cd), Potential contamination index (Cp) and potential ecological risk index (RI) were used for the metal enrichment and contamination status was also calculated. The CF, Cd, Cp, PLI and RI values of the studied metals indicated that the study area does not posed risk to local environments. The concentration of heavy metal indicated that the study area does not posed high risk to local community but the odour from the land fill and dumping site pollute the air which causes respiratory problems. Hence, this open landfill should be closed from use in future and or properly managed by recycling in order to minimize future pollution problems. The mean order of heavy metal concentration in plant samples is Fe>Zn>Mn>AL>Pb>Cu>Cr>Ni >As>Hg respectively. The heavy metal (Fe and Zn) contents in the plants were higher compared to other metals analysed. The concentration of some metal was relatively high in the maize plant, but there were all below the WHO permissible limit except for Zn metal. The transfer factor (Tf) revealed that plants grown on dumpsite and landfill soils absorbed and accumulates heavy metals. The highest transfer factor value was obtained in Fe, followed by Cu, Pb, Zn, Al, Mn, Ni and As respectively.