EFFECT OF WASTE DUMPSITE ON GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF A SHALLOW AQUIFER IN PORT HARCOURT, SOUTH-EASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of waste dumpsites on groundwater quality of upper aquifers in Port Harcourt. Water samples were retrieved from hand-dug wells from a dumpsite and a control site and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content. Results show that electrical conductivity of the dumpsite water samples was 42.06μS/cm while the control site water samples recorded 31.27μS/cm. Turbidity of the water samples ranged from 0.62NTU-0.65NTU. Total Dissolved Solids of the dumpsite water sample was 26.8mg/l while the TDS of the control site water sample was 33.70mg/l. The pH of water samples from both sites ranged from 5.46 -7.34. The pH of water samples from the dumpsite was slightly acidic (5.46). The average temperature of the water samples was approximately 28oC. Phosphate concentration of water samples ranged from 0.32 mg/l-0.54 mg/l while chloride levels ranged from 10.60mg/l-17.12 mg/l. All physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal content of the water samples all fell within the WHO and NSDWQ stipulated standards except for the lead concentration of the water sample retrieved from the dumpsite. The study also revealed that waste dumpsites did not alter the concentration of the measured physico-chemical properties and heavy metal concentration of water samples. However, the study recommended that periodic assessments of groundwater quality of waste dumpsites should be undertaken