Investigation of Leachate Migration from Dumpsite and Its Effect on Surrounding Groundwater: A Case Study of Kuje Dumpsite, Fct, Abuja, Nigeria

Groundwater contamination is one of the major problems caused by open dumpsitein an environment which directly results into health hazards for the people livingaround the area. Inthis study, geophysical and physicochemical methods werecarried out to investigategroundwaterpollutionat a dumpsite in Kuje, FCT,Abuja. From the result of geophysical method, high conductivity of 0.143 Ω-1m andlow resistivity of <7 Ωm, shows the presence and migration of leachate from thedumpsite. Also, physico-chemical analysis of hand dug well and borehole watersampleswerecarriedoutforheavymetalcompon entsuchaszinc,copper,manganese and iron. The concentrations of heavy metal were high with values of0.1352, 1.7, 0.36 and 0.32530 respectively for hand dug well, 0.28, 1.65, 0.28 and0.1387 respectively for borehole water sample, which is above WHO safe limits of5,0.05,0.2and0.03respectively(exceptforzincvalu ewhichislowerthantheWHOsafe limit). The geophysical and physicochemical results indicate that the refuse atthe dumpsite consistofempty cans and rusted ironwhich causegroundwaterpollution. Hence there is a need for proper regulation of the dumpsite to improvewaterquality,environmentalandhealthstand ardoftheinhabitants ofthiscommunity