Determination of Some Physicochemical Parameters of Soil in an Abandoned Waste Dumpsite in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt

Abstract

This research work studied the levels of some physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and alkalinity of soil in an abandoned waste dumpsite in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt. Soil samples were collected at three different points within the abandoned waste dumpsite for the determination of the levels of the studied physicochemical parameters. The different physicochemical parameters studied were analyzed appropriate laboratory methods. The average range of values recorded for the different physicochemical parameters studied within the period of investigation in the abandoned dumpsite were; pH; 6.38±0.13 to 6.82±0.12, electrical conductivity; 879.69±17.67 to 1062.77±16.77 µS/cm, moisture content; 20.84±0.50 to 23.33±1.00%, % organic carbon; 4.55±0.04 to 5.46±0.13%, %organic matter; 7.85±0.06 to 9.42±0.23%, total nitrogen; 0.13±0.01 to 0.18±0.00%, total phosphorus; 1.30±0.05 to 2.18±0.02% and alkalinity; 5.75±0.06 to 7.98±0.22mg/Kg. The degree of occurrence of the investigated parameter in the abandoned waste dumpsite were within limits acceptable by FAO/WHO for agricultural soil. The results recorded indicated that even at this stage that there should be proper monitoring of waste dumpsites and that planting of crops should be discouraged so that human health will be preserved.