Return to HydroWeb HomepageISSN 1058-3912
Electronic journal of the International Association
for Environmental Hydrology
On the World Wide Web at http://www.hydroweb.com
JEH Volume 7 (1999), Paper 8, August 1999
Posted August 9,
1999
MIGRATION OF CONTAMINANTS IN GROUNDWATER AT A LANDFILL SITE, NIGERIA
K. M. Ibe and J. C. Njoku
Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
The risk of groundwater pollution is regarded as the principal impact
of the disposal of waste on land. In examining this problem, geophysical
and geochemical studies were carried out at a solid waste disposal site
in Owerri, southeastern Nigeria. The disposal system in use is the landfill
disposal method. Azimuthal electrical resistivity (ER) soundings were conducted
around the site to determine the directions of contaminant transport. Surface
and groundwater samples were collected and analyzed to determine some geochemical
parameters usually considered to be indicators of pollution from solid
waste disposal. Grain size analyses of sediment samples were found to consist
of sand particles with high porosity and permeability. A collection of
litho-geophysical logs of the study area gives insight about the nature
of the porosity and permeability. The grain size analysis results together
with the litho-geophysical logs show that contaminated leachates can migrate
through the unsaturated zone into groundwater. Results indicate that the
landfill and its management pose a threat to human health. Surface and
groundwater samples near the landfill are acid at certain spots, while
the concentration of PO 4 and NO 3 are well above
the guidelines recommended by WHO.
Reference: Ibe, K.M. and J.C. Njoku; Migration of Contaminants
in Groundwater at a Landfill Site, Nigeria , Journal of Environmental
Hydrology, Vol. 7, Paper 8, August 1999.
Dr. K. M. Ibe, Sr.
Federal University of Technology
School of Science
P. M. B. 1526
Owerri
Nigeria