CHARACTERIZATION OF LEACHATES FROM UNCONTROLLED OPEN DUMPSITE IN AHIAEKE, ISIEKE AND NSUKWE UMUAHIA, ABIA STATE

This study aimed to characterize the chemical in the leachates from uncontrolled open dumpsite in Ahiaeke, Isieke and Nsukwe in Umuahia, Abia State. Air, soil and leachate samples were analysed using an absolute instrument system, AIS (Aerocet model 5315) and standard procedures to measure the concentration of SO4, NH3, O3, CO2, VOC, PM10, PM2.5, H2S and CO in the air and some selected physicochemical and heavy metal content. From the result, SO4 ranges from 0.02 - 0.19 mg/m3, NH3(1.11 - 14.05), O3(0.01 - 0.15), CO2(618.50 - 832.50), VOC (1889.50 - 6343.50), PM10(46.19 -751.50), PM2.5(14.03 - 344.72), H2S (0.02 - 5.91), CO (1.91 - 6.91 mg/m3),For leachate and soil analysis, pH ranges from 8.75 - 9.01, Potassium (2.04 - 6.93 mg/l),Iodine (1.24 - 7.86), Fluorine (0.32 - 31.96), Acidity (344.70 - 821.65), Magnesium (209.70 - 498.66), Nitrate (0.34 - 2.07), DO (1.95 - 6.82), COD (3181.29 - 19090.56), Phosphate (13.42 - 57.35), Boron (0.79 - 3.15), Ammonia (0.85 - 3.55), Lead (0.00 - 3.76 mg/kg),Mercury (0.12 - 0.88), Cadmium (0.21 - 1.49), Manganese (2.13 - 14.72) , Chromium (0.10 - 0.61), Nickel (2.14 - 8.12), Iron (1.13 - 6.28), Zinc (0.15 - 1.22),Barium (24.15- 172.02), Copper (1.18 - 9.56 mg/kg). In this study, concentration of all air parameters was higher at distance closer to the dumpsites. The level of ammonia, PM10, PM2.5 and some heavy metals exceeded WHO guidelines. Hence, the waste dumps were observed to be the major contributors of increase in chemical and heavy metal levels in the leachate.