Heavy Metal Pollution of the Environment by Dumpsites: A Case of Kadhodeki Dumpsite
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Date
2016
Authors
Njagi, J.M.
Akunga, D.N.
Njagi, M.M.
Ngugi, M.P.
Njagi, E.N.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Life-Sciences Scientific Research
Abstract
Dumpsites exist throughout the developing countries present a threat to human health for the next several
years; this is because most of these countries follow the practice of open dumping of solid wastes. Most of these dumping
sites are uncontrolled and years old, having grown over time from small dumps to large, unmanaged waste sites.
Municipal waste, which is the most common source of the waste which ends up at the dumpsites, has been shown to
contain heavy metals which are leached out from the sites into the soil and water. This constitutes serious health and
environmental concerns because of the effects on the host soils, crops, animal and human health. This research determined
the level of heavy metals in the soil and water samples collected around Kadhodeki dumpsite. Heavy metal determination
from samples collected was carried out using X- ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical technique. The data was subjected to
statistical tests of significance using ANOVA and post hoc analysis by Tukeys test (P<0.05). The research found that V,
Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Hg concentrations in the soil were higher than maximum allowable levels (MAL) for agricultural soils
while Fe, Zn levels were within the limits. The water was contaminated by higher levels of Mn (366-856 μg/l) and Fe
(5132-12402 μg/l) than allowed in drinking water while the level of Zn (40-336 μg/l) was below the World Health
Organization limits. Since subsistence farming was observed in the study area, then the study recommends that the
farmers growing edible crops around the site should be advised to stop doing so and instead be encouraged to grow other
crops that can provide some income and at the same time reclaim the land
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Dumpsites, Heavy metals, Contaminated soil, Contaminated water
Citation
Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res., VOL 2, ISSUE 2, pp: 191-197