The Impact of Climate Parameters on Leachate Quality and its Effects on Water Quality of River Benue at Yola, Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyses meteorological data and leachate parameters impact on water quality in River Benue of Yola. Climate parameters were collected from Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), Yola from 2004-2014; while leachate and water samples were collected from the beneath of decayed waste dumpsites and from three other locations along River Benue (upstream, middle stream, downstream) respectively. Pollutants in form of heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, As, Mn, Mg) and other conventional pollutant parameters (DO, BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, TS, pH, NO-3, Turb.) were determined in the laboratory using: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS), BOD, COD reactors, pH meter, Turbidity meter, Nitrate testing equipment and some reagents. Available results showed that the mean annual minimum and maximum temperatures of the area were 22.56 ºC and 34.34 ºC. Total annual rainfall during the study year was 1015.3 mm. There was decrease in the concentration of Pb and BOD from 4.3 mg/l to 0.4716 mg/l and from 14.2 mg/l to 8.0082 mg/l as they were transported downstream due to reaction with micro-organisms and sediments. This implies that there was dilution of the wastes in the river and the presence of increased values of temperature, moisture content, relative humidity, solar intensity and rainfall amount all influenced the leachates production at dumpsites. This impacts on the quality of water in the Benue river as most of the concentration levels of pollutants obtained were higher than the standard threshold requirements.With urbanization and population wastes management policies should be formulated to minimize pollution and safeguard public health.