SOIL POLLUTION AS A FUNCTION OF DISTANCE FROM DUMPSITE

Abstract

The study examined the distribution of pollutants as a function of distances from dumpsites. The study was carried out around a dumpsite at Amassoma–a semi urban environment in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State,Nigeria (latitude 4.97°N and longitude 6.11°E). Soils samples were collected using augers from depths of 0-15cm and 15 -30cm at interval of 20m (from 0-20-40-60-80-100m); soil samples at the 100m distance were used as the control. Physico-chemical properties of the soils collected were determined in the laboratory. The auger hole method was used to determine the hydraulic conductivity of the soil for indicating the ease of transmission of pollutants in the soil.
The hydraulic conductivity value was 0.7m/day indicating high rate of leaching. Result indicated that most of the cations decreased with increasing distances from the dumpsite and with increasing soil depth. Nutrient levels were high, the total N values were high (1.48%), K (0.07%), P (8.55%) and Organic matter values were also high (4.89%). The base saturation was high at 69.8% and 67.49% at 0-15cm and 15-30cm depth respectively. The rate of soil pollution decreased as a function of the distances from the dumpsite. The concentration of heavy metals in the soil was found to be below the permissible level of W.H.O making it harmless and usable for agricultural purposes