This study looked at the effects of solid waste dumpsites on groundwater quality of SamaruZaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Water samples were collected from twenty four (24) different
wells from three (3) strategic areas that have major dumpsites in Samaru. Twelve of these
samples were taken during the dry season (April) and another twelve taken during the rainy
season (August) from both bore holes and hand dug wells. Of the twelve samples, six were
taken within (0-50 meters) to dumpsites and another six far away (50-150 meters) from the
dumpsite. In carrying out the research, physico-chemical properties of well water was tested
in the laboratory, while heavy metal properties was tested for soils in the dumpsite and well
water. The pollutants assessed include, Biological Oxygen Demand, Total Dissolved Solid,
Dissolved Oxygen, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Chloride, Total Hardness, Colour, pH,
Magnesium, Zinc, Iron, Chromium and Lead. Test-test was used to test for significant
difference between parameters while Chi-square was used to test for the relationship between
quality of water in wells close to and those far away from solid waste dumpsite in dry and
rainy season and relationship between heavy metal concentration in the soils of dumpsites
and shallow and deep well water. From the findings of the research it was discovered that
many wells in the study area located close to the dumpsite (0-50 meters) have levels of
concentration of pollutants of both physico- chemical and heavy metal to be high (in wells
close to dumpsites) compared to wells far from dumpsites < 50m. It was also discovered that
the concentration of pollutants during the wet season is higher than that during the dry
season. From laboratory analysis conducted it was discovered that COD had the highest
physico-chemical concentration of 648.50Mg/L and BOD a concentration of 0.20Mg/L. The
heavy metal with the highest concentration is Magnesium with a concentration of 960Mg/L
and the least heavy metal concentration recorded was Chromium with a value of
0.0006Mg/L. In general, it was discovered that shallow wells had a higher percentage of
contamination for both close to and far away from dumpsites than the deep wells in the study
area. It was also discovered that deep and shallow wells close to dumpsites have a higher
total contamination rate than deep and shallow wells far from dumpsites but there was no
significant difference between them as revealed by the t-test. The results obtained from the
chi-square revealed that there is a significant difference between the World Health
Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) standard
for potable water and the obtained values with an implicative result that the water from
Samaru shallow and deep wells is not safe for direct consumption. Thus, such water should
be treated by employing some measures such as the use of disinfectants or boiling before use
which will help reduce the pollutants, but majorly an improved water supply to the study area
will go along way to correct the unhealthy conditions.
TABLE OF CONTENT
Cover page ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i
Title Page --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i
Declaration ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii
Certification ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ iii
Dedication -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iv
Acknowledgements --------------------------------------------------------------------- v
Abstract ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi
Table of Content ------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii
List of Tables ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi
List of Figures ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- xv
References -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 88
Appendix ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 96
Table of Content ------------------------------------------------------------------------- vii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION ---------------------------------------------------------- 1
1.1 Background to the Study ---------------------------------------------------- 1
1.2 Statement of Research Problem -------------------------------------------- 6
1.3 Aim and Objectives ----------------------------------------------------------- 9
1.4 Research Hypothesis ---------------------------------------------------------- 10
1.5 Scope of Study ------------------------------------------------------------------ 10
1.6 Significance of the Study ----------------------------------------------------- 11
CHAPTHER TWO
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK AND LITERATURE REVIEW -- 12
2.1 Introduction -------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
2.2 Conceptual Framework ------------------------------------------------------ 12
2.3 Concept of Waste -------------------------------------------------------------- 14
2.3.1 Types of Waste ------------------------------------------------------------------ 14
2.3.1.1 Liquid Waste -------------------------------------------------------------------- 14
2.3.1.2 Gaseous waste -------------------------------------------------------------------- 15
viii
2.3.1.3 Solid waste ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 15
2.3.2 Types of Solid waste ------------------------------------------------------------- 15
2.3.2.1 Municipal waste ------------------------------------------------------------------ 16
2.3.2.2 Hazardous waste ------------------------------------------------------------------ 16
2.3.2.3 Hospital Waste -------------------------------------------------------------------- 17
2.3.2.4 Agricultural Waste ---------------------------------------------------------------- 17
2.3.3 Refuse waste generation and disposal ------------------------------------------ 17
2.3.3.1 Dumping site ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 19
2.3.3.2 Leachate effects -------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
2.3.4 Water -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
2.3.4.1 General Definition of water pollution ------------------------------------------- 21
2.3.4.2 Sources of water pollution -------------------------------------------------------- 21
2.3.4.3 Effects of physico-chemcial and heavy metals --------------------------------- 22
2.4 Review of Related Literature --------------------------------------------------- 24
2.4.1 Gap in the study ------------------------------------------------------------------- 29
CHAPTHER THREE
STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY ------------------------------------ 30
3.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30
3.2 Study Area -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30
3.2.1 Location ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30
3.2.2 Evolution and Morphology of Samaru ------------------------------------------- 32
3.2.3 Climate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32
3.2.4 Geology ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34
3.2.5 Vegetation --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
3.2.6 Soil ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35
3.2.7 Drainage ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
3.2.8 Socio-Economic Setting of Samaru ---------------------------------------------- 36
3.2.9 Population ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37
3.3 Methodology ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 37
3.3.1 Reconnaissance Survey ------------------------------------------------------------ 37
3.3.2 Types and Sources of Data Required -------------------------------------------- 38
ix
3.3.3 Sampling Technique ---------------------------------------------------------------- 38
3.3.4 Laboratory Analysis of Samples -------------------------------------------------- 38
3.3.5 Procedure Used for Chemical Analysis ------------------------------------------ 41
3.3.5.1 pH Determination ------------------------------------------------------------------- 41
3.3.5.2 BOD and DO determination ------------------------------------------------------- 42
3.3.5.3 COD Determination ---------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3.3.5.4 T.D.S. Determination -------------------------------------------------------------- 44
3.3.5.5 Chloride Determination ------------------------------------------------------------ 44
3.3.6 Methods Used for Physical Analysis ---------------------------------------------46
3.3.6.1 Colour Determination -------------------------------------------------------------- 46
3.3.6.2 Total Hardness and Magnesium determination --------------------------------- 47
3.3.7 Methodology Used for Heavy Metal Determination -------------------------- 48
3.3.8 Data Analysis ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 50
CHAPTHER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ----------------------------------------------- 51
4.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 51
4.2 Distance of wells from dumpsite ------------------------------------------------ 51
4.3 Physico-chemical properties of well water in the study area ---------------- 52
4.4 Test for Significant difference in physico-chemical properties
of well water in the study area-------------------------------------------------- 59
4.5 Heavy metal concentration in dumpsite of soil ----------------------------- 61
4.6 Heavy metal concentration in well water samples -------------------------- 63
4.7 Test for significant difference in heavy metal concentration
of well water in the study area-------------------------------------------------- 70
4.8 Comparing water quality in Wells with WHO Standards------------------- 72
x
CHAPTHER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ---------- 84
5.1 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 84
5.2 Summary of Findings ------------------------------------------------------------- 84
5.3 Conclusion -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 86
5.4 Recommendations ----------------------------------------------------------------- 87
