Physicochemical characteristics of soils used as temporary waste dumpsites in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, rivers state, Nigeria

Abstract

The level of physicochemical properties in temporary dumpsites in Rukpokwu, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was assessed. The physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard conventional procedures. The average range of values recorded for the physicochemical parameters within the stations for the period of investigation were pH; 5.49±0.11-5.66±0.25, electrical conductivity; 88.67±11.44-90.33±12.23 µs/cm, particle size analysis were silt, 8±1.60-12.001.40%, sand; 80.00±0.82-82.67±0.47%, and clay, 6±0.81-8.33±0.47%, with a textural class ranging from loamy soil to loamy sand, % organic carbon; 6.75±0.45-6.82±0.51%, %organic matter; 11.75±0.88-11.79±0.96%, total nitrogen; 0.340±0.02-0.359±0.004mg/Kg, nitrates1.54±0.64-1.58±0.67mg/Kg, total phosphorus; 4.22±0.28-4.33±0.25 mg/Kg, phosphates; 12.94±0.86-13.86±0.82mg/Kg, chlorides; 31.58±3.36-32.80±3.36mg/Kg and salinity; 52.11±5.54-53.624.42mg/Kg . The levels of the physicochemical parameters obtained in the various dumpsites were all higher or lower than those at the control station depending on the minimum or maximum requirement of the parameter in the soil. The results obtained therefore showed that the temporary dumpsites have influence the physicochemical properties of the soils used as dumpsites.