Prediction of Heavy Metals Concentrations Profiles in Groundwater around Soluos Dumpsite in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water pollution is a threat to human life. Heavy metals in leachates from dumpsites pollute groundwater within the vicinity of the dumpsites. This work was carried out to predict the heavy metals concentration profiles in groundwater around Soluos dumpsite in Lagos State. A one dimensional transport model with a decay factor component was used to predict the concentration profiles of heavy metals in groundwater within the vicinity of Soluos dumpsite using finite difference techniques implemented in matrix laboratory (Matlab) 7.9. the concentration profiles for heavy metals considered in this work which include lead (Pb), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and Iron (Fe) were similar but different in term of concentrations values. The one dimensional transport model used predicted the experimental data from groundwater at the depth of 22 m within the vicinity of Soluos dumpsite up to 98 percent confidence level compare to a one dimensional transport model without a decay factor which predicted the experimental data up to 94 percent confidence level in the work of Salami and Susu. The concentration profiles of heavy metals in groundwater were also predicted at the depths of 38, 46, and 54 and 62 m. It was shown that the one dimensional transport model with a decay factor component yeilded a better prediction of heavy metals in groundwater around Solous dumpsite than the one dimensional transport model without a decay factor. The predicted concentration profiles at various depths can be used as a guide to determine the depth to which boreholes within the vicinity of Soluos dumpsite should be dug for the purpose of provision of good groundwater.