THE IMPACT OF DUMPSITES ON GROUNDWATER

QUALITY IN NIGERIAN URBAN AREAS.

BY

GLORIA OMOJO ANEFU

BSU/SC/EMT/16/39600

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
BENUE STATE UNIVERSITY
MAKURDI
 ABSTRACT
Effective disposal and management of waste is one of the most challenging
issues in Nigeria. The migration of leachates from dumpsites into groundwater
poses a great danger to the quality of water available, which in turn affects the
health of living organisms. In Nigeria, dumpsites are suited across the nation,
most of these sites are below standards and are not properly managed.This
review gives an insight about the effects of dumpsites on the quality of
groundwater in Nigerian urban area. It concludes by recommending means of
waste disposal and management that could be considered to prevent further
groundwater contamination in Nigerian urban areas.
 1.0 INTRODUCTION

In Nigeria, the rate of urbanization characterized by high population

concentration, increasing industrial and agricultural activities coupled with

environmental pollution/degradation and indiscriminate disposal of all kinds of

wastes are perceived to pose serious pollution threats with all its concomitant

health hazards on groundwater quality especially in urban areas [1]. Solid

wastes from residents are disposed ofindiscriminately by the road, in front of

houses, drainages or at some collection sites with little or no facility, put in

place to effectively manage these wastes.Dumpsitesthreaten the quality of

groundwater when rainfall percolates through waste, leaching out toxic

substances such as bacteriaand metals. Leachates from this dumpsite,

migrateinto groundwater by moving through pore-spaces within rocks. The

review aims at assessing the effects of leachates on groundwater quality. It also

focuses on different dumpsites situated across the country and the strategies that

can be used in mitigating pollution of groundwater in Nigerian urban areas.

2.0 GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

Groundwater is the water present beneath the earth’s surface in rock and soil

pore spaces and in the fractures of rock formations [2]. Groundwater is stored

and moves in rocks called aquifers. Groundwater is an important source of

potable water and the water cycle is incomplete without it. As a source of water,

groundwater has a direct impact on the health of every community. The

contamination of groundwater by leachates from dumpsites is a major

environmental and health concern.A dumpsite is a piece of land where waste

materials are disposed of. Dumpsites act as a source of groundwater pollution,

as rainwater or any liquid percolates through the dumps deposited in different

sites, to form leachates.Leachates from dumpsites usually contain biological and

chemical constituents such as heavy metals, ammonia, nitrogen, coliform

bacterial and virus. Dumpsites contain large numbers of pathogenic and

opportunistic bacteria, due to the presence of various domestic, industrial and

clinic waste found in it [3]. According to Olaladeet al, most dumpsites are built

without engineering liners and leachates collection systems so they function

without proper leachates collection and treatment facilities thereby promoting

leachate migration into groundwater [4]. Nigerian dumpsites are abandoned

burrow pits and acquired areas which were not chosen based on any legal

environmental impact assessment studies [5].

The composition of dumpsite leachate varies greatly from site to site depending

on the characteristics of the dumpsite. Some factors which may include; the age

of the dumpsite, the type of waste, degree of decomposition and physical

modification of waste [6].The leachates from dumpsites percolates through the

soil and is transferred into the aquifers containing groundwater.Contaminants

easily find their way into the groundwater table when the overburden thickness

of the bedrock is thin, when the topsoil happens to be loose (sandy soil) and
through the fracture or faults zones. Once groundwater is contaminated it may

forever remain polluted without remedy or treatment [7].

3.0. LEACHATE AS A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF GROUNDWATER

POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON NIGERIAN URBAN AREA.

Proper managementof waste and protection of groundwater has been a major

problem in Nigerian urban areas, due to poor designs of major dumpsites in

Nigeria and indiscriminate disposal of municipal wastes. Wastes deposited in

dumpsites over the years are expected to biodegrade and generate leachates,

which could become point source of microbial and toxic chemical pollution of

the groundwater. These poses a serious health risks and pollutes the water in

areas where the dumpsites are situated.The impact of dumpsites on groundwater

quality in some Nigerian urban areas have been evaluated by carrying out

physiochemical and bacteriological analyses. Some of the physiochemical

parameter used by some researchers were: Total dissolved solids, concentration

of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, iron, lead, cadmium etc. while

the standard water test used to determine the microbial quality of water is Total

coliform bacteria. Water samples were collected from wells and boreholes close

to dumpsites in Nigerian urban areas.

Ikem et al (2002) evaluated the quality of groundwater near dumpsites in Ibadan

and Lagos, and foundthe concentration of Nitrate( 16.30 mg/L), Ammonia(10

mg/L), Aluminum(20 mg/L),Cadmium(20 mg/L), Iron(10 mg/L), lead (36.7

mg/L),COD-(100mg/L) and total coliform(100 cfu/10ml)were exceeding WHO

permissible limit for drinking water which are (Cadmium- 0.002 mg/L, lead-

0.01mg/L, iron-0.3 mg/L, COD-80 mg/L, total coliform bacteria-10 cfu/10mL,

nitrate-10 mg/L). The concentration of these elements in groundwater is due to

the leachates from the dumpsites [8].

Babatude et al (2009), Odukoya and Abimbola(2010) assessed the impact of

dumpsite on groundwater quality in Isolo, Ojota and FESTAC area in Lagos

state and found that the concentration of iron was 0.095 mg/L, magnesium was

6.98 mg/L, total coliform 98.8 cfu/10mL, and nitrate was 51.62 mg/L were

above the permissible limit for drinking water. The concentration of these

elements was higher in water samples close to the dumpsites than those far from

the dumpsites [9].

Adeyemo and Temowo(2010), evaluated the impact of dumpsite on

groundwater in Ibadan and noted that the concentration levels of sodium,

potassium, magnesium, chloride, total dissolved solids and nitrate were higher

in water samples close to the dumpsites[10].

Bayode et al (2012) assessed the impact of dumpsites on the quality of

groundwater in Akure and the parameters analyzed (lead- 0.41 mg/L,

manganese- 0.60 mg/L, iron-2.50 mg/L and nitrate-11.0 mg/L) exceeded WHO

prescribed limit for drinking water[11].

Amadi et al(2010) evaluated the impact of dumpsites on groundwater quality in

Makurdi, the results of the sample collected close to the dumpsiteshowed that

the average concentration value of calcium was 147.7 mg/L while magnesium

concentration mean value was 75.38 mg/L. These values were above the

recommended WHO standard values which are 50.0 mg/L and 75.0 mg/L

respectively. The value for total coliform bacteria was 341.0 cfu/10mL which is

above the WHO and NAFDAC maximum permissible limit of 10.0cfu/10mL.

[12].

Arimieari and Olayionka(2020) assessed the impact of open dumpsites on

groundwater quality in Oyigbo, River state. The results from the analysis

showed that the concentration values of the following parameters were

Cadmium (0.03 mg/L), Lead (0.18 mg/L), Iron ( 1.53 mg/L), chemical oxygen

demand(153.57 mg/L) and Biochemical oxygen demand(12.8 mg/L) were

above the recommended standard values (Cadmium- 0.002 mg/L, Lead-

0.01mg/L, Iron-0.3 mg/L, COD-80 mg/L, BOD-2 mg/L)of world health

organization and Nigeria standards for drinking water [13].

Oyelami and Aladejana evaluated the effect of groundwater quality in Osogbo

metropolis. The results gotten from the analysis showed that the concentration

of chloride (268. 87 mg/L), potassium (15.32 mg/L), manganese (0.11 mg/L)

exceeded the permissible limit of WHO which are (chlorine-250 mg/L,

potassium- 10 mg/L, manganese (0.1mg/L)[14].

Omofonwman and Esigbe (2009) and Imoisi et al (2012) examined the impact

of municipal wastes on the quality of groundwater in Benin City and found

concentration levels of physio-chemical and bacteriological loading higher in

wells close to dumpsite than those far away[15]

3.1 HEALTH IMPLICATION OF GROUNDWATER POLLUTION

Studies have shown that leachates contain large number of pathogenic

microorganisms. Rivers, wells and boreholes situated around these dumpsites

are at high risks of being contaminated. Due to high concentration of coliform

bacteria in leachates, people in such areas suffer from urinary tract infections,

diarrhea, typhoid and cholera.The accumulation of heavy metals in water has

direct consequences on our health. Water from hand dug wells and boreholes

are gotten from aquifers that stores groundwater. Consumption of the

contaminated water by residents can result to different health implication. High

concentration of nitrate, can lead to blue baby syndrome in infants. Excess

concentration of iron affects the taste and increases the turbidity of water, which

promotes the growth of ferrous bacteria. These bacteriafast-track the rusting

process in metals when it comes in contact with water. Chromium are

carcinogens and the ingestion of this metal upsets the stomach, damages the

liver and kidneys. Ingestion of lead through drinking water can cause brain

dysfunction in children, hypertension and chronic kidney diseases. High levels

of potassium in water can lead to abnormal heart and skeletal muscle

dysfunction leading to paralysis when consumed.

4.0 CONCLUSION:

Different dumpsites in Nigerian areas were evaluated by researchers to

determine its impact on groundwater quality in Nigerian urban areas such as

River states, Lagos, Ibadan, Osogbo, Akure and Makurdi. The results obtained

from each area were compared to the prescribed limit given by World Health

Organization (WHO) and Nigerian standards fordrinking water. The

physiochemical and bacteriological parameters from the results showed that the

water samples contained high concentration of heavy metals, Total dissolved

solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and high amount

of total coliform bacterial. Posing significant health risks to the residents within

the vicinity. Studies have shown that the groundwater quality in Nigerian urban

areas are under pollution threats by leachates generated from dumpsites. It is

imperative that appropriate measures are put in place to remedy already polluted

groundwater and prevent further contamination of groundwater. The following

measures recommended are as follows:

i. There is need for adequate and proper planning, construction, and strategic

management of waste disposal in Nigeria.

ii. Open dumping system needs to be outlawed and provision of modern

sanitary landfills should be provided to stop groundwater contamination.

iii. Government should locate new landfills away from residential areas to

avoid contamination of their water supply.

iv. Modern waste management and treatment policy should be put in place

to ensurethat waste disposed must be pre-treated before disposal or after

disposal.

v. There is also need for public awareness to enlighten the public about the

importance of groundwater and the need for it to be protected from pollution.

vi. Water quality should be properly assessed and monitored from time to

time, especially in Nigerian urban areas to ensure that groundwater already

contaminated are treated before they are used for different purposes.
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