Hydrochemical Characteristics And Heavy Metal Concentrations In Groundwater Around Active Solid Wastes Dumpsites In Rumueme And Elijiji Communities In Rivers State, Nigeria

Levels of Physicochemical and Heavy Metal properties of groundwater and soil samples in parts of Obio/Akpor LGA, Rivers State, were assessed in this study. Heavy Metals were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, The results for groundwater showed maximum mean levels of Lead (0.209±0.281 mg/L), Chromium (1.904±1.542 mg/L) and Nickel (0.185±0.119 mg/L).. Chromium and Lead levels were above standard limits (0.05 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L respectively) in most stations. Plot of the Piper diagram revealed that the groundwater had sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and mixed water types across the sample stations, while the Durov diagram suggested that ion dissolution and mixing/uncommon dissolution processes governed the groundwater types. The study recommends that regular monitoring of activities around dump sites should be done routinely and strict environmental laws governing waste disposal be enacted and enforced