Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Groundwater Around Uyo Village Road Dumpsite, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Groundwater is one of the major sources of potable water for households in Uyo Metropolis, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The increasing generation of municipal solid waste and the continued use of open dumpsites have raised concerns regarding groundwater contamination resulting from leachate infiltration. This study assessed the concentration and distribution of selected heavy metals in groundwater sources located around the Uyo Village Road dumpsite. Groundwater samples were collected from strategically selected sampling locations within a radius of approximately 500 m from the dumpsite, including a control site located outside the influence of the landfill. Samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures, while heavy metal concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Descriptive statistics, one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and contamination indices were employed to evaluate spatial variations in groundwater quality and the extent of heavy metal contamination. The results indicated elevated concentrations of lead, cadmium, iron, and chromium in groundwater sources located nearest to the dumpsite, whereas zinc and copper remained within acceptable guideline values. Heavy metal concentrations generally decreased with increasing distance from the dumpsite, suggesting that leachate migration was the primary source of contamination. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the concentrations of several heavy metals among the sampling locations. Although some groundwater sources satisfied national drinking water standards, boreholes and shallow wells situated close to the dumpsite exhibited contamination levels that may pose long-term environmental and public health risks. The study concludes that groundwater around the Uyo Village Road dumpsite is vulnerable to heavy metal pollution resulting from improper municipal solid waste disposal.