Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analyses of Leachate at Dumping Sites of Some Selected Areas in Damaturu Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Protection of surface and groundwater is a major environmental issue the importance of water to human quality of life is of great interest. This study was conducted to assess the physicochemical and heavy metal of leachate in surface water and soil sediment at dumping sites of Nayinawa and Babban-Tsangaya, Damaturu, Yobe State. Simple random sampling was used for collection of the samples. The physiochemical parameters were analyzed in accordance with standard analytical procedure. Concentration of heavy metals was determined using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Physiochemical analysis results showed significantly high dissolved oxygen (DO) (21.13 mg/L, Total Suspended Solid (TSS) (1115 and Turbidity (138.9 and 856.4 mg/L and sulphate (212.6 and 345 mg/L from both Nayinawa and Babban-Tsangaya, these revealed higher values of above WHO and NSDWQ permissible limit. However TDS was below FAO permissible limit. Heavy metals concentration for arsenic (2.17 mg/L, cadmium (2.27 mg/L) and chromium (1.89 mg/L) were also above WHO, FAO and NSDWQ permissible limit except lead (1.45 mg/L which was below FAO permissible limit. The development and application of integrated leachate treatment process of different physical, biological and chemical technologies could be a suitable option to reduce the contamination levels of the leachate. This study revealed that water from the study areas (Nayinawa and Babban-Tsangaya) has significant levels of heavy metal which poses a serious health risk to the people in the area.