ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS AND ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS LEVEL AROUND SOME SELECTED HOSPITALS AND MUNICIPAL DUMPSITES IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
ASSESSMENT OF SOME HEAVY METALS AND ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS LEVEL AROUND SOME SELECTED HOSPITALS AND MUNICIPAL DUMPSITES IN KADUNA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
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Date
2016-11
Authors
IDEDIA, SUNDAY MOSES
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Abstract
This study was designed to assess the levels of some selected heavy metals and identify organic contaminants from soil collected from hospitals dumpsites and incinerator ash within Kaduna metropolis. Samples (soil and ash) were collected from three medical and one municipal dumpsite between the hours of 8am and 11am, when disposal activities are high. The mean concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd and Fe) were determined in both seasons by atomic absorption spectrophotometry while organic contaminants were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Data of heavy metals collected were analyzed using ANOVA to conduct a test of significance; pollution index to assess environmental risk and Pearson’s correlation to determine relationship between parameters. The result showed the order of relative abundance as Fe>Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. Saint Gerard catholic hospital dump soil contained more heavy metal concentration due to its high contents of sharps as waste while the municipal dump soil has the highest mean concentration of cadmium. The result also indicated a decreasing pattern in the mean concentrations of the heavy metals vertically down the soil depths. Seasonal variation shows high concentrations of heavy metals during the dry season than the wet season. Heavy metals were not destroyed by incineration and their concentrations depend on the amount of metals in the waste. The result from GC-MS showed some organic pollutants that have strong health implications. The pollution index showed that the municipal dump soil is severely polluted with cadmium and it is, therefore not recommended for agricultural activities. The pollution levels of the heavy metals decreased in the order Cd>Fe>Pb>Cu>Zn. Strong positive correlation (P>0.01) was recorded between Pb and Cu and between Fe and Zn. Cadmium has a positive correlation (P>0.05) with Cu and Pb. The studied physicochemical parameters in soil samples showed poorly sorted soil with sand fraction generally high in all samples. Alkaline pH,
ranging from 7.1 to 9.8 was observed while low soil organic matter was recorded (ranging from 0.28 to 2.25%) from sampling sites. The level of the studied metals in all the dump soils and ashes were within tolerable limit by WHO, FEPA and US EPA but could be of an environmental concern with continues dumping of medical wastes.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, HEAVY METALS,, ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS LEVEL,, SELECTED HOSPITALS,, MUNICIPAL DUMPSITES,, KADUNA METROPOLIS,, NIGERIA