Physicochemical, Heavy Metal and Microbial Concentrations in the Soil around the Idu Dumpsite, Abuja, Nigeria
By Otu M. A, Woke, G.N., Edwin-Wosu, N. L.
Various human activities having influence on the environment, dumpsite remains one of the major point of references in assessing such influence. The study assessed the physicochemical, heavy metal and microbial concentrations in the soil sourced around the Idu Dumpsite, Abuja, Nigeria. Groundwater samples (3) were collected around the dumpsite and analysed through laboratory procedure and standard of American Public Health Association (APHA-2012). The finding revealed that The groundwater samples showed pH values of 6.83 –6.97, conductivity (103 – 105 µs/cm), Cation Exchange Cation (CEC) between 7.518 – 7.566 mg/kg, and total alkalinity levels of 40– 43.0 mg/kg. The nutrients concentration of the soil showed that Nitrate range from 1.054 – 1.123 mg/kg and Nitrite concentration range from 0.049 – 0.053 mg/kg. The mean concentration of heavy metals showed that Fe (6.92 mg/kg), Cu (2.0 mg/kg), Pb (0.97 mg/kg), Cd (2.27 mg/kg) and Cr (1.24 mg/kg) exceeded World Health Organization limits. The Total Heterotrophic bacterial (THB) of the soil sample ranged from 21x 105 cfu/g to 53x 105 cfu/g. Conclusively, the soils samples are characterized by elevated salinity, organic enrichment, nutrient loading, and heavy metal accumulation, with cadmium emerging as the principal ecological risk. There is need to establish a long-term monitoring program for the surrounding soil to ensure environmental sustainability practices.