Comparative Method of Acidic and Alkaline Digestion for Hexavalent Chromium in some Dumpsite soil of Lafia Metropolis

Abstract

The reduction of hexavalent chromium in soils of dumpsites in Lafia metropolis were determined by using digestion methods (alkaline and acidic digestion) and calorimetrically observed by Ultra Violet-Visible spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 540nm. Soil samples were collected from two dumpsites (Emir palace and Jos road) the concentrations of chromium in mg/kg in acidic (EA1- EA3) and alkaline (EB1- EB3) medium in sites E were EA1 0.342, E A2 0.364, EA3 0.380, EB1 0.374, EB2 0.387, EB3 0.400, while sites J were JA1 0.388, JA2 0.403, JA3 0.453, JB1 0.468, JB2 0.474, JB3 0.516 respectively. The concentration of chromium in soil of both sites is higher in alkaline medium than that of acidic medium which ranges from 0.342-0.380 (Acidic), 0.374 -0.400 (alkaline) dumpsite E (Emir palace dumpsite) and 0.388- 0.452 (Acidic), 0.468- 0.516 (Alkaline) dumpsite J (Jos Road dumpsite). The concentration of chromium in soil of both sites may have adverse effect on human health which may be attributed to dumping of refuse of household, structural components of condemned automobile parts and building materials into the dumpsite.