IMPACT OF REFUSE WASTE ON IRRIGATION WATER QUALITY OF THE ALLUVIAL PLAIN OF RIVER BENUE YOLA, NIGERIA
Subsurface water quality can be poor in Nigeria due to indiscriminate refuse dumping. Exposed dumpsites serve as appoint source pollution that discharges potentially toxic heavy metals into the environment. It is speculated that due to the control refuse waste dumps the irrigation water used for the production of vegetables around the active dumpsites, the vegetables might be polluted. The irrigation water quality of the alluvial plain of River Benue in Jimeta-Yola is thus investigated. The research is aimed to assess the impact of the refuse waste dump, visa vi physiochemical parameters, and heavy metals concentrations in irrigation water sources (shallow boreholes and hand-dug wells). Water samples from shallow boreholes and hand-dug wells for irrigation purposes were collected around two dumpsites. Five (5) samples were collected each from boreholes and hand-dug wells for cations, anions, and heavy metals analysis. Collected samples were analyzed using standard laboratory methods and procedures. Waste samples totalling ten, five each from dumpsite were collected for laboratory analysis. Various components of the waste were sorted out and analyzed by a fresh weight percentage. PH values range from 6.9 -7.3 indicating that the water is alkaline and within FAO standard limit for irrigation water. Mean values of EC, SAR and TDS, 0.25dsm-1, 0.47me/l and 159mg/l indicates no salinity /alkalinity hazards. Heavy metals concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn and Cr, 2.29mg/l, 0.01mg/l, 0.056mg/l and0.021mg/l respectively are within WHO standard limits. Heavy metals concentration in refuse waste ranges from 0.05-0.06mg/l for Fe, 8.0-19mg/l for Zn, 0.3-0.8mg/l for Cu and 0.04-0.06mg/l for Mn respectively in the two dumpsites. Iron and Manganese are slightly high in concentration, indicating point pollution. Lead, Chromium, and mercury were not detected in all the samples. The result showed that dumpsite I was less polluted than II which may cause point pollution and requires good waste management and disposal strategies/ remediation.
Authors : G. Malgwi, J. Z. William and S. A. Abdulkadir
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 6(1) Date Uploaded : 19th September 2020