Contamination assessment of dumpsites in Ughelli, Nigeria using the Leachate Pollution Index method

Abstract

The leachate pollution index (LPI) technique has been used to quantify pollution potential in Ughelli, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from boreholes around four dumpsites for laboratory analysis and estimation of their LPI. The values were found to be 11.95, 11.32, 8.47 and 10.08, for Omotor Dumpsite (OD), Iwhreko Dumpsite (ID), Divine Dumpsite (DD) and Ughelli Market Dumpsite (UMD) respectively. These values are higher than the standard of 7.378. Therefore, Leachate characterization and the LPI values revealed that the groundwater in the area has been impacted due to leachate percolation. It is recommended that remediation procedures should be put in place as soon as possible for better water quality in the area.

Keywords: Pollution index; remediation; biodegradation; water quality; hydrogeochemical analysis, pollutant variables