GROUNDWATER POLLUTION AS A FUNCTION OF DISTANCE FROM DUMP SITE IN AMMASOMA, BAYELSA STATE (A SEMI-URBAN ENVIRONMENT)

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the distribution of water pollutants as a function of distances away from the dump site in Amassoma, Nigeria (latitude 4.97°N and longitude 6.11°E). Water samples were collected from installed pipes at the various distances 0m, 20m, 40m, 60m, 80m and 100m (control) from the centre of the dumpsite. The water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical and heavy metals properties and checked with WHO (World Health Organisation) and NSDWQ (Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality) standards.
The results showed that most of the physico-chemical and heavy metal parameters fall within limits as recommended by WHO (2004) and NSDWQ (2007) except, Alkalinity (46.66mg/l to 273.31mg/l) and iron Fe (0.985mg/l to 5.065mg/l) which were above the recommended standards of 200mg/l and 0.3mg/l respectively. The results indicated that the concentration of the elements decreased with increasing distances from the dump site. The presence of such dump site therefore is a potential source of pollution to the ground water and agriculture. The polluted water requires certain levels of treatment before use. Public enlightenment on waste sorting, adoption of clean technology, using climate change mitigation strategies and the use of sanitary landfill to prevent further contamination of groundwater flow are recommended