Indices of solid Wastes Environmental Impacts in Ilorin East Local Government Area using GaBi, modeling Tool

Abstract

The problems of solid waste in Ilorin East Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara State are uncontrolled dumping of wastes in the environment, lack of standard landfill and poorly located dumpsites. In this paper, the life-cycle of solid wastes in Horin East Local Government Area of Kwara State was examined using GaBi, modeling tool and the implications of their environmental impacts were identified. Three major dumpsites viz: Apado, Agbeyangi, and Oke-Oyi were selected and the concentration levels of CH, CO, SO, and CO gases were measured using ToxiRae gas sampler. Two waste management scenarios were developed and compared using GaBi,software version. Scenario 1 involved collection, transportation and landfilling, while Scenario 2 involved collection, transportation, and incineration. The impact indices determined for both scenarios were Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP) and Ozone layer Depletion Potential (ODP) using the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Methodology of the Centre for Environmental Studies (CML) of the University of Leiden in the GaBi, software version. The impact indices of landfilling scenario for GWP, AP, EP, and ODP were 2.63(kgCO, Equiv.), 1.50E-03 (kgSO,Equiv.), 3.22E-03(kg Phosphate Equiv.) and 9.98E-12(kg CFC 11-Equiv.), respectively. Those of the impacts of incineration scenario for GWP, AP, EP, and ODP were 3.32(kgCO, Equiv.), 9.20E-04(kgSO,Equiv.), 3.72E-04(kg Phosphate Equiv.) and 2.49E-08(kg CFC 11-Equiv.), respectively. Landfilling of wastes poses a lesser burden on the environment, using ODP index, as compared to incineration and therefore recommended for use in the study area.