Effects of Solid Wastes (Leachates) on the Quality of Underground Water
N. C. Mmonwuba *
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okoye Onyekachi Francis
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okpala Somtochukwu
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Maduegbunna Patrick Chinweike
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Kizito Ezenwafor
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
G. Ezeolisa Ifunanya
Department of Civil Engineering, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of groundwater pollution in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Nigeria, and the consequences of solid wastes, quality, and its control. The study was inspired by the uncontrolled way that both home and industrial wastes are dumped on the ground, in rivers, burried, burned, and dumped in trash heaps. Papers and polyethene, tin and metals, ashes and dust, texture and rags, aluminum and other minerals are among the primary solid wastes produced in Oyigbo. These wastes form leachates and gases when they degrade and are washed by percolating and infiltrating rain water into the groundwater, according to an examination of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of raw water at ten distinct places in Oyigbo close to disposal grounds. However, while a small number of the water characteristics evaluated did not meet W.H.O. criteria, the majority did. Despite this, recommendations are given to address the issues, including promoting raw water analysis, awareness campaigns, increased groundwater investigation in Oyigbo, and adherence to the resource management principle. From the results obtained, it was discovered that the mean concentration values of TDS, pH, BOD and COD are 89.24mg/l, 7.62mg/l, 13.87mg/l and 14.58 for leachate samples. Also the mean concentration values for Mn, Cl, Mg in groundwater samples are 62.34mg/l, 22.74mg/l and 2.60mg/l and for well water samples and 57.35mg/l, 28.30mg/l and 1.25mg/l respectively. The characteristics of the domestic well water samples showed a mean concentration of biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD = 16.26 mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD = 18.67 mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (DO = 4.84 mg/l) and temperature (29.66ᵒC). Also, the characteristics of the groundwater samples showed a mean concentration of biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD = 13.67 mg/l), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD = 16.11 mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (DO = 4.03 mg/l) and temperature (27.16ᵒC). This result shows that there are high level of BOD,COD and DO in Domestic well water than that of groundwater in that location(site).
Keywords: Leachates, groundwater, landfill, municipal solid waste, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD)