Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages: 175-180

175

Microbial Load and Heavy Metals Properties of Leachates from

Solid Wastes Dumpsites in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Tariwari C.N. Angaye

Douye V. Zige

and Sylvester C. Izah*

1- Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta

University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria.

2- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Waste management is a challenge to sustainable development. In Nigeria most wastes are discharged into the environment

with little or no treatment. Due to activities of microbes, some of these wastes undergo degradation releasing leachates. The study

assessed the microbial population and heavy metals characteristics of leachate from solid waste dumpsites aligning water bodies

in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Analyses were carried out following standard procedure. Microbial population results showed that

Total heterotrophic bacteria, total fungi, total coliform and faecal coliform ranged from 8.23 – 10.79 Log cfu/ml, 6.25 – 8.64 Log

cfu/ml, 2.42 – 2.66 Log MPN/100 ml, and 1.97 – 2.34 Log MPN/100 ml respectively, while the heavy metals such as Cd, Cr,

Cu, Mn, Hg, Fe, Pb and Zn ranged from 0.00 – 0.17 mg/l, 0.00 – 0.46mg/l, 0.00 – 0.70mg/l, 0.20 – 0.60mg/l, 0.00 – 0.27 mg/l,

0.20 – 8.41mg/l, 0.27 – 2.77 mg/l and 0.00 – 4.10 mg/l respectively. The heavy metals are in the order

Fe>Pb>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cr>Hg>Cd. Analysis of variance showed that there were significance difference (P<0.05) in the microbial

populations, and heavy metals apart from Cadmium and Zinc. The levels of contamination amongst the leachates indicated that

continuous and precarious dumping of solid waste in areas aligning the coastal areas of the Niger Delta should be discouraged

due to their associated health impacts.

Keywords: Niger Delta, dumpsite, leachate, contaminants

1 Introduction

Inadequate waste management is a threat to sustainable

development in developing country like Nigeria [1, 2].

Wastes are generated in nearly all sector of the economy as

well as all human activities such as hospitals, agriculture,

market, workshops, food processing etc. In sector like

hospital, hazardous wastes are generated and they are

discharged into the environment without treatment [3]. This

waste include pathological, hazardous chemicals,

radioactive, stock cultures, blood and blood products,

animal carcasses, pharmaceutical, pressurized containers,

batteries, plastics, low level radioactive materials,

disposable needles, syringes, scalpels, clinical bandages,

gauze, cotton and other sharp items [4]. Poor waste

management poses a great challenge to the well-being of

inhabitants of such area, particularly those living adjacent

to the dumpsites [5]. Typically, the types of wastes

generated depend on the activities being carried out. The

quantity of wastes depend on population and size of the

sector. Due to urbanization, industrialization, and

population growth, rural-urban migration, unplanned

development, industrial and technological expansion,

Corresponding Author: Sylvester C. Izah, Environmental

Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Biological

Sciences, Faculty of Science, Niger Delta University,

Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa state, Nigeria, Email:

sylvesterizah@yahoo.com; Tel:+234 703 0192 466

energy utilization [6 - 8], affluence and consumption

pattern, the wastes generated in the country has been in

increase [1]. These has rendered many water resources

unwholesome and hazardous to biodiversity including

human that consumes such water [8]. Three wastes stream

are discharged into the environment include liquid, solid

and gaseous emissions. To a large extent, solid wastes

constitute higher nuisance due to the fact that it occupy

space and takes longer time to degrade, with exception of

few such as plastic and nylons which are recalcitrant to

degradation by normal metabolic pathway of

microorganisms.

Wastes are discharged into the environment especially

in unapproved dumpsites including markets, drainage

channels, undeveloped land [1], and surface water [9]. This

is associated to inadequate and irregular evacuation

practices by the government waste disposal authority [1, 2].

Due to inadequate management practice, solid wastes often

block part of the major high way.

Worst still, during the raining season, the waste are

deposited into nearby surface water (river, stream, creek)

via runoff [10]. These often led to pollution of the water

body. In Nigeria, some inhabitants of the coastal areas

obtain their drinking water from the surface water [9, 10].

Some of the microbial species found in the surface water

are of medical importance. Microbes found in surface water

include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus,

Pseudomonas, Proteus, Citrobacter, Enterobacter,

Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio

species [11, 12]. Similarly, in leachates, bacteria species of

the genera Escherichia, Salmonella, Shigella and Vibrio

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ISSN: 2309-1185

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages: 175-180

176

have been identified [13]. Other microbes isolated from

leachate includes Pseudomonas, Proteus, Bacillus,

Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Arthrobacter, Klebsiella

pneumonia and Staphylococcus species Enterobacter

cloacae and Escherichia coli (bacteria), Fusarium

oxysporum, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus,

Penicillum species (fungi) [14]. Egharevba et al. [8]

reported staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis,

Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens and Alcaligens

species (bacteria), Aspergillus, Rhizopus species and yeast

as microbes found in leachate in Benin City, Nigeria. In

Ekiti state, Escherichia, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Bacillus,

Enterococcus, Salmonella, Pseudomonas and

Staphylococcus species have been isolated from leachate in

dumpsite [15]. Some of these microbes are linked to borne

diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhoea etc when

they find their way to drinking water sources. In addition,

dumpsites also serve as media for transmission of

infectious and non-infectious diseases [7, 16].

Owing to the different chemical composition of these

wastes discharged into the environment, it could contain

some recalcitrant and toxic materials [14] including heavy

metals. On aquatic ecosystem, these wastes could influence

the water quality (i.e. physico-chemical and microbial

characteristics) due to the presence of heavy metals, ions,

oil and grease, organic compound [9]. Heavy metals cannot

be degraded hence they leach into the environment i.e food

chain [1], which could affect aquatic life forms. Heavy

metals pose a risk to human health on exposure via water

consumption especially the once not needed by the body

such as mercury. Organism contamination is largely linked

to industrial solid waste such as mercury amalgam, dental

fillings, lead in paints, chemical residues in processed foods

and personal care products such as cosmetics, shampoo and

other hair products, mouth wash, toothpaste, soap [16].

These are also part of the wastes deposited dumpsite.

Leachates are formed when precipitation enter wastes

in a dumpsites. The configuration and composition of the

leachates depends of the type microbes (saprophytic and

pathogenic) found in such condition, in addition to the

heavy metals and radioactive elements [8]. Leachate

composition is mainly a function of the age of the landfill

and the level of waste stabilization [17]. Generally,

leachates are generated mainly from wastes. Industrial solid

waste and municipal sludge leachates induced DNA

damage in human peripheral blood lymphocytes [8]. This

could be deleterious to human health. The leach-ability of

contaminants from solid waste to water bodies has become

a major source of concern; as such the microbial population

and heavy metal properties of leachates from solid wastes

in River and Bayelsa state are investigated.

2 Materials and Methods

2.1 Sample collection

Seven leachates samples were obtained from dumpsite

in Rivers state (Eliozu, Nkwogu and Abuloma) and Bayelsa

state (Amassoma, Ogobiri, Swali and Tombia junction) in

triplicate. A sterile McCartney bottle was used to collect

the sample meant for microbial analysis while 500 ml

bottle was used for the sample meant for physicochemical

(Total hardness and Chemical oxygen demand) and heavy

metals analysis in the Month of July 2014. The sampling

station was chosen based on the proximity of dumpsite to

surface water. Figure 1 presents a typical dumpsite aligning

surface water.

Figure 1: A typical dumpsite aligning the coastal area of the Niger Delta,

Nigeria

2.2 Laboratory analysis

2.2.1 Physicochemical and heavy metal analysis

The water physico-chemical parameters including pH,

conductivity, total dissolved solid (TDS) were analyzed in-

situ. The pH was analysed using portable field kits Hanna

instruments HI9820. A digital multi-parameter (HANNA

Instrument: HI 9813) was used to measure electrical

conductivity and total dissolved solids. The in-situ analysis

was based on the equipment manufacturers’ guide.

Chemical oxygen demand (COD) was determined by

titrimetric/dichromate oxidation method described by

APHA [18] and Ademoroti [19]. Total hardness by titration

using the scheme of Ademoroti [19]. The heavy metals

were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer

(AAS) (APHA 301A) [19] (model: 5100 PC, Perkin-Elmer,

Boston, USA). Hg were also determined using

spectrophotometer [20].

2.2.2 Enumeration of Microbial counts

The microbial populations of total heterotrophic

bacteria (THB), total fungi of the leachates were

enumerated using serial dilution pour plate method of

Pepper and Gerba [21], Benson [22]. About 0.1ml of water

sample was serially diluted in sterile distilled water and

aliquots of the dilutions were aseptically plated into

Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar. The agar plates

were incubated inverted at 37°C for 24-48 hours for THB

and 30°C for 3 – 5 days for fungi to enumerate the aerobic

and facultative microbes. The resultant growth/colonies on

the plates were counted and expressed as colony forming

units (cfu)/ml. The total and faecal coliforms was

determined using multiple tube fermentation technique

expressed as MPN (Most Probable Number – 3 tube

method). Lactose broth was used as fermentative broth i.e

MacConkey. The lactose broth in the first 3 tubes were

prepared in double strength, while the last 6 tubes were

prepared in single strength. About 10 ml of the leachates

water sample was transferred into the tubes containing the

double strength lactose broth, while 1m and 0.1ml of the

sample was also transferred to the single strength lactose

broth, 3 each. The tubes were incubated for 24 hours at

35°C to enumerate the faecal coliforms then after the

incubation temperature was adjusted to 44°C for another 24

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages: 175-180

177

hours to enumerate the total coliforms. Positive results

were based on colour change, gas production trapped in the

Durham tubes. The MPN table of Pepper and Gerba [21],

was used to determine the population of total and faecal

coliforms.

2.3 Statistical Analysis

SPSS software version 16 was used to carry out the

statistical analysis of the physicochemical and heavy metals

parameters and the log transformed microbial population.

The data were expressed as Mean ± standard error. A one-

way analysis of variance was carried out at P = 0.05, and

Tukey HSD Test was used to determine the source of the

detected differences. Pearson’s correlation matrix was used

to identify the relationship among the heavy metals.

3 Results and Discussion

Table 1 presents the microbial population (THB, total

fungi, total coliform and fecal coliform) from water

samples obtained at the dumpsite in the Niger Delta region

of Nigeria. THB, total fungi, total coliform and fecal

coliform ranged from 8.23 – 10.79 Log cfu/ml, 6.25 – 8.64

Log cfu/ml, 2.42 – 2.66 Log MPN/100 ml, and 1.97 – 2.34

Log MPN/100 ml respectively, being significance

difference (P<0.05) in among the sampling communities

for all the microbial populations. The total bacteria count of

this study is slightly higher than previous study. Sulaimon

et al. [14] reported the microbial population of leachate

from Orita-aperin and Awotan dump sites, Ibadan in the

range of 1.9 x 10

to 3.77 x 10

cfu/ml. Egharevba et al. [8]

reported leachate from Benin City in the order 10

and 10

for THB and total fungi respectively. Aderemi et al. [22]

reported total viable count of Enterobacteriaceae as 1.26 x

cfu/ml in Lagos, Lagos state, Nigeria. Odeyemi et al.

[15] reported total bacteria and coliform counts of 70.6 x

cfu/ml to 7.3 x 10

cfu/ml and 39.9 x 10

cfu/ml to 1.9

x 10

cfu/ml respectively from leachate in dumpsite in

Ekiti-State Government Destitute Centre. The high

microbial load suggest that the water is heavily

contaminated. The presence of fecal coliform also suggest

that sewage are been deposited in the dumpsite. During

runoff, this leachate may enter surface water and it could

lead to contamination. Hence, the people that obtain their

drinking water from such water body could contact water

borne diseases including typhoid fever, diarrhea etc. Again,

the results of this study also suggest that microbes such as

fecal streptococcus, Chlostridum perifringes, E. coli,

Enterobacter species could be presence in the leachates.

Generally the total coliform is high than 10 cfu/ml

maximum permissible limit for drinking water, specified by

standard organization of Nigeria (SON).

The physicochemical characteristics of the leachates

from the dumpsite entering the surface water is presented in

Table 2. The pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved

solid, total hardness and chemical oxygen demand ranged

from 4.63 – 7.43, 1005.33 – 2049.73 µS/cm, 2018.03 –

7009.03 mg/l, 384.82 – 801.31 mg/l, 57.34 – 308.80 mg/l

respectively being significantly different (P<0.05) among

the sampling community for all the parameters. The

physicochemical results of this study is close to the

findings of several authors. Nubi et al. [6] reported leachate

from Aba Epo in Oyo state Nigeria as 4.7 (pH), 1870 mg/l

(COD), 228 mg/l (hardness), and 2900 mg/l (TDS).

Egharevba et al. [8] reported pH (5.44 – 7.37), conductivity

(168.8 – 1558.0 µS/cm), TDS (9.39 – 9.22 mg/l), COD (33

– 69mg/l) from leachates in Benin City, Nigeria. Aiyesanmi

and Imoisi [23] studied leachates in Benin City, Nigeria

and reported pH (6.76 – 7.49), electrical conductivity

(13718 - 64344 µS/cm), total hardness (104.86 – 163.39

mg/l), TDS (6830 – 32192 mg/l). High COD is an

indication of pollution level. Parameters such as

conductivity and hardness exceeded maximum allowable

limit of 1000 µS/cm and 150 mg/l respectively

recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria.

Similarly, apart from one sampling location the pH of the

water was also lower that the limit of 6.5 – 8.5

recommended for potable water consumed in Nigeria.

Hence, the water is moderately acidic in nature.

Table 1: Microbiological population of leachates

Sample

Code

Locations

Total Heterotrophic Bacteria,

Log cfu/ml

Total Fungi, Log

cfu/ml

Total Coliform

Log MPN/100mL

Faecal Coliform

(Log MPN/100mL)

LHI

Amassoma

9.01±0.01b

7.13±0.01b

2.60±0.07bc

2.31±0.07bc

LH2

Ogobiri

8.99±0.32b

7.87±0.02cd

2.60±0.07a

2.22±0.05bc

LH3

Tombia

10.79±0.01d

8.64±0.02e

2.41±0.03c

2.34±0.02b

LH4

Swali

10.02±0.01c

7.97±0.01d

2.66±0.00a

2.22±0.05bc

LH5

Eliozu

8.97±0.01b

6.25±0.03a

2.41±0.03ab

1.97±.000a

LH6

Abuloma

9.08±0.01b

7.73±0.07c

2.44±0.03a

2.11±0.07ab

LH7

Nkwogu

8.23±0.03a

7.95±0.01d

2.42±0.05c

2.34±0.02b

Along the column different letters indicate significant differences at P< 0.05 according to the Tukey HSD Statistics; each value is expressed as mean ± standard error

(n = 3)

Table 2: Physicochemical parameters of water sample from the leachates

Sample

Code

Locations

Electrical conductivity,

μS/cm

Total Dissolved Solid,

mg/l

Total Hardness, mg/l

COD, mg/l

LHI

Amassoma

4.63±0.07a

1439.70±3.33a

5913.23±3.00d

801.31±1.00e

114.44±0.00b

LH2

Ogobiri

6.47±0.07d

1803.73±1.67d

2018.03±0.67a

572.97±1.33d

57.34±0.43a

LH3

Tombia

6.13±0.09cd

1677.03±3.05c

6717.83±2.91e

909.80±0.58f

172.93±0.88d

LH4

Swali

6.43±0.33d

1992.33±4.41f

3314.43±3.71b

394.82±1.79b

179.0±0.17e

LH5

Eliozu

5.40±0.17b

1005.33±3.33a

4060.63±3.33c

474.38±0.33c

194.07±0.67f

LH6

Abuloma

5.90±0.00bc

1946.03±4.16e

6871.53±0.88f

388.74±0.33a

308.80±0.577g

LH7

Nkwogu

7.43±0.17e

2049.73±2.91g

7009.03±0.33g

978.03±0.58g

137.93±1.20c

Along the column different letters indicate significant differences at P< 0.05 according to the Tukey HSD Statistics; each value is expressed as mean ± standard error

(n = 3)

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages: 175-180

178

Heavy metals characteristics of the water from the

leachate are presented in Table 3. Cd ranged from 0.00 –

0.17 mg/l, being not significant difference (P>0.05) among

the sampling locations. Basically, in most of the location,

cadmium was not detected. The findings of this study are

not in consonance with previous report. Cd concentration

of 0.029 mg/l was found in leachates in Aba Epo Oyo state

[6] and 0.02 – 0.04 mg/l were reported in leachates in

Benin City Nigeria [23]. The high cadmium reported in this

study could be attributed to the type of waste discharged in

the location, noting that it was only detected in two out of

the seven sampling locations. The mean concentration from

this study is slightly higher than the permissible limit for

drinking water by the regulatory agencies (Table 4).

The concentration of Cr from this study ranged from

0.00 – 0.46mg/l. There were significance difference

(P<0.05) in the Cr level among the sampling points. The

concentration of Cr from this study is slightly higher than

the findings of other author. Cr concentration found in

leachate is in the range of 0.04 – 0.06mg/l from Benin City,

Nigeria [23], 0.014 mg/l Aba Epo in Oyo state Nigeria [6],

Like Cd, the mean concentration of Cr from this study is

higher than the permissible limit for potable water by the

regulatory agencies (Table 4). This suggests that the water

is contaminated.

The level of Cu found in the leachates ranged from 0.00

– 0.70mg/l, being significantly different (P<0.05) among

the sampling points. Cu was not detected in one of the

sampling point (Swali). The findings of this study are lower

than previous report. Sulaimon et al. [14] reported the level

of Cu in leachate from Orita-aperin and Awotan dump

sites, Ibadan in the range of 0.475 - 1.51 mg/l. Egharevba et

al. [8] reported concentration of Cu from leachates in Benin

City, Nigeria in the range of 2.50 – 6.70mg/l. The findings

of this study is higher than some previous reports.

Aiyesanmi and Imoisi [23] reported Cu in leachates in the

range of 0.49 – 0.61 mg/l in Benin City, Nigeria. Nubi et al.

[6] reported leachate from Aba Epo in Oyo state Nigeria as

0.018 mg/l. Odeyemi et al. [15] reported Cu in the range of

0.001–0.02mg/l from leachate obtained from dumpsite in

Ekiti state, Nigeria. Sabejeje et al. [16] reported Cu in the

range 0.01 - 0.02mg/l from leachate obtained from

dumpsite in Ondo state, Nigeria. The mean concentration of

Cu from this study is lower than the permissible guideline

for potable water by the regulatory agencies such as WHO,

SON (Table 4). Also, the concentration was lower that the

standards for the discharge of effluents into water and land

as stated by the national Environment (NE-SDEs).

The Mn level in this study ranged from 0.20 –

0.60mg/l, being significance difference (P<0.05) among the

sampling locations. Mn significantly correlates with nitrate

(r=0.468, P < 0.05). The concentration of Mn in this study

is lower than previous report. An author have reported Mn

in the range of 0.6 – 1.2mg/l in Benin City, Nigeria [8]. A

result higher than the findings of this study have been

reported in literature. Mn concentration ranging from 0.27

– 0.38 mg/l were observed from leachates in Benin City,

Nigeria [23]. The mean concentration of Mn obtained from

this study is higher than the permissible limit specific by

SON, but lower than the standards for the discharge of

effluents into water and land as stated by the NE-SDEs

(Table 4).

The concentration of Hg ranged from 0.00 – 0.27 mg/l,

being significance difference (P<0.05) among the sampling

locations. The concentration reported in this study is not in

consonance with previous report. Several authors have

reported Hg from leachates in the range of 0.03 – 0.06 mg/l

[23], 0.00 – 0.25 mg/l [8]. However, Odeyemi et al. [15]

have reported that Hg concentration is basically below

equipment detection limit (BDL). In this study, Hg was not

detected in 2 of the sampling locations (Amassoma and

Ogobiri). The mean concentration of Hg from this study is

higher than the permissible guideline for potable water by

the regulatory agencies such as WHO and SON (Table 4).

The concentration of Fe ranged from 0.20 – 8.41mg/l,

being significantly different (P<0.05) among the sampling

points. Fe show negative relationships (r=-0.494, P < 0.05)

with Pb. The Fe concentration from this study is higher

than previous reports. Authors have reported Fe level in

leachates in the range of 1.40 – 3.2 mg/l [8], 1.96 – 3.19

mg/l [23]. The current findings is comparable to the result

of another author. Sabejeje et al. [16] reported Fe in the

range 7.00 - 8.00mg/ from leachates obtained from

dumpsite in Ondo state, Nigeria. The mean concentration of

Fe in this study is greater than the permissible limit specific

by SON, but lower than the NE-SDEs standards (Table 4).

The level of Pb in this study ranged from 0.27 – 2.77

mg/l, being significantly different (P<0.05) among the

sampling communities. The concentration of Pb in this

study is slightly higher than the findings of other authors.

Sulaimon et al. [14] reported the Pb of leachate from Orita-

aperin and Awotan dump sites in the range of 0.568 -

0.86mg/l. Aiyesanmi and Imoisi [23] reported Pb in

leachates from dumpsite in Benin City in the range of 0.05

– 0.12 mg/l. Odeyemi et al. [15] reported Pb in the range of

0.001-0.002mg/l from leachate obtained from dumpsite in

Ekiti state, Nigeria. Sabejeje et al. [16] reported Pb in the

range 0.80 - 0.90 mg/l from leachates obtained from

dumpsite in Ondo state, Nigeria. Egharevba et al. [8] also

reported Pb in the range 1.00 – 2.0 mg/l from leachate in

Benin City, Nigeria. Nubi et al. [6] reported leachate from

Aba Epo in Oyo state Nigeria as 0.073 mg/l. The mean

concentration of Pb is higher than the permissible limit for

drinking water as well as regulatory limit for effluent

discharge (Table 4).

Zn level in the leachates under study ranged from 0.00

– 4.10 mg/l. There were no significance difference

(P>0.05) among the various sampling locations. The Zn

concentration in this study is higher than the result of other

authors. Nubi et al. [6] reported Zn level of 0.48 mg/l in

leachate from Aba Epo, Oyo state Nigeria. Aiyesanmi and

Imoisi [23] reported Zn in the range of 0.37 – 0.65 mg/l

from leachates obtained from Benin City, Nigeria.

Odeyemi et al. [15] reported Zn in the range of 0.001–

0.02mg/l from leachate obtained from dumpsite in Ekiti

state, Nigeria. The mean concentration of Zn is lesser than

the permissible limit for potable water and regulatory limit

for effluent discharge (Table 4).

Generally, the concentration of the different heavy

metals found from each dumpsite is a function of the level

of such metal found in the solid wastes. Heavy metals

enters into the environment through wastes from

electroplating, metal finishing, textile, storage batteries,

lead smelting, mining, plating, ceramic and glass industries

Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages: 175-180

179

[24], pharmaceutical industries including recalcitrant

substances such as antibiotics, anti-epileptics, tranquilizers

etc [25]. Specifically, chromium enters in the environment

through activities tanning, electroplating, pigment

production [26]. Pb could have probably enter the

environment due to waste from tyre wear, lubricating oil,

grease [27], batteries production and ceramics [28]. Cu in

the leachate could be due to corrosion by the copper

materials in the environment. Apart from Fe, the heavy

metal content of the solid wastes that formed the leachate is

below the threshold value of 3mg/l specified by WHO as

stated by Sulaimon et al. [14]. The analyzed heavy metals

are in the order Cd<Hg<Cr<Cu<Mn< Zn< Pb <Fe. This

indicates that iron is the most dominant heavy metals found

in the leachates in the Niger Delta region. This could be

attributed to the presence of rusted materials found in the

dumpsites. Additionally, iron is one of the dominant heavy

metal found in the Niger Delta environment.

Table 3: Heavy metals characteristics of the Leachates

Sample

Code

Locations

Cd, mg/l

Cr, mg/l

Cu, mg/l

Mn, mg/l

Fe, mg/l

Hg, mg/l

Pb, mg/l

Zn, mg/l

LHI

Amassoma

BDL

0.23±0.08a

0.70±0.06b

0.35±0.04ab

8.41±0.86d

0.00±0.00a

0.83±0.07a

0.47±0.01a

LH2

Ogobiri

BDL

0.05±0.00a

0.06±0.01a

0.37±0.08ab

2.01±0.23b

BDL

0.5333a

BDL

LH3

Tombia

BDL

0.46±005b

0.58±0.02ab

0.60±0.07ab

1.30±0.17ab

0.03±0.00ab

1.70±0.25ab

4.10±0.95a

LH4

Swali

0.17±0.02a

0.03±0.00a

BDL

0.70±0.05b

1.00±0.05ab

0.01±0.00ab

2.77±0.67b

1.27±0.14a

LH5

Eliozu

BDL

0.20±0.05ab

0.30±0.00ab

5.87±0.19c

0.21±0.01ab

0.27±0.17a

BDL

LH6

Abuloma

0.10±0.06a

0.38±0.01a

0.16±0.01ab

0.37±0.12ab

2.53±0.12b

0.29±0.03c

0.46±0.03a

0.30±0.01a

LH7

Nkwogu

BDL

0.05±0.01a

0.37±0.17ab

0.20±0.06a

0.20±0.05a

0.27±0.02ab

1.70±0.15ab

1.14±0.23a

Along the column different letters indicate significant differences at P< 0.05 according to the Tukey HSD Statistics; each value is expressed as mean ± standard error

(n = 3); BDL = below detection limit

Table 4: Mean value of the heavy metals from leachate and potable water and effluent permissible guideline

Cd, mg/l

Cr, mg/l

Cu, mg/l

Mn, mg/l

Fe, mg/l

Hg, mg/l

Pb, mg/l

Zn, mg/l

Mean

0.04

0.17

0.30

0.41

3.05

0.12

1.18

1.04

WHO [29]

0.003

0.05

2.00

0.006

0.01

SON [30]

0.03

0.05

1.00

0.20

0.3

0.001

0.01

NE (SDE)

1.00

10.0

0.01

0.1

The National Environment (Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or on Land) Regulations (NE-SDE)

The contamination of surface water by runoff of

leachate could have adverse effects on the aquatic

biodiversity including bio-accumulate in the body and

organs of biological diversity, reduction in the rate of

respiration by fishes due to precipitation of mucous

secretion and reduction in oxygen level on long time

exposure. It could also lead to changes in the

physicochemistry of the water leading to increased cost of

treatment.

4 Conclusions

Leachates from solid waste dumpsites are linked to

contamination of both surface and groundwater as a result

of infiltration and runoffs. The Niger Delta is a flood plain

associated with shallow water table. Most of the heavy

metals exceeding the allowable limit for potable water as

specific by Standard Organization of Nigeria and World

Health Organization. Similarly, the microbial population is

also high. Based on the findings of this study, there is the

need to effectively review waste disposal system Nigeria.

To forestall leaching of pollutants into water bodies,

location of dumpsites should be at an appreciable distance

to our water bodies. In addition, municipal dumpsites

should be replaced with proper engineered landfills.

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