IMPACT OF LANDFILL LEACHATE ON GROUNDWATER

AND SOIL QUALITY: A CASE STUDY IN

IBADAN METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

BY

ADEDIJI SAMSON AGBOADE

LCU/UG/21/20323

SEPTEMBER, 2024
 INTRODUCTION
 Groundwater is the main source of water for human consumption and economic
activities (Agada, 2023)
 The setback of ecological contamination is a major concern of earth scientists, and
investigators from other associated disciplines across the world
 Wastes can be produced during the extraction and processing of resources into
intermediate and end products, its consumption etc., and other human activities
 Urbanization and rapid population growth have led to an increase in the amount and
heterogeneity of waste produced (Mukhtar, 2016). The complexity of waste produced
poses challenges for waste management and recycling techniques. For this reason, a
big percentage of waste produced worldwide ends up in landfills (Oloibiri, 2018).
 INTRODUCTION CONT’
 The leachates are created once rain falls on the landfill site, percolate into
the garbage and carries pollutants as it leaches down (Egbai, 2015)
 Landfill leachate contains several (classes of) organic compounds which
may be toxic to life
 Groundwater contamination within a waste disposal site results from the
infiltration of leachates through the soil
 Statement of Problem
Landfills have served many years as ultimate disposal site for all types of
waste; municipal solid waste, industrial sewage and hazardous waste. Physical,
chemical and biological processes interact simultaneously to bring about the
overall decomposition of the wastes.
One of the by-products of this mechanism is chemically laden leachate and the
disposal of solid waste in landfills can result in the creation of leachate, which
is a polluting liquid that can affect the quality of surface and groundwater
(Mohammed et al., 2013).
Leachate is typically composed of dissolved organic matter, inorganic macro
components (such as chlorides, iron, aluminum, zinc and ammonia), heavy
metals and xenobiotic organic compounds such as halogenated organics. Other
chemicals including pesticides, solvents and heavy metals may also be present.
 Aim and Objectives
This study aims to evaluate the effect of landfill leachate on surface and
groundwater quality within the study area.

The specific objectives include:

To analyzing some physical parameters and chemical parameters
To determine the contribution of landfill leachate in heavy metal
concentration in water
To determine the suitability of the water for human consumption
 Scope of study
The investigation is structured to assessing the effect of landfill leachate on
surface and groundwater quality within the Ibadan metropolis. The findings
obtained from the research will be useful in determining the level of
contamination of both surface water and groundwater and its suitability for
consumption.
Autor and Year
LITERATURE REVIEW
Topic Findings
Christopher Oluwakunmi Environmental Impact of Landfill on The parameters determined were the turbidity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO),
AKINBILE (2012) Groundwater Quality and Agricultural total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total iron, nitrate, nitrite, chloride,
Soils in Nigeria calcium and heavy metals like copper, zinc, and lead. Most of these parameters indicated
pollution but were below the World Health Organization (WHO) limits for consumption.
The pH ranged from 5.7 to 6.8 indicating toxic pollution, the turbidity values were
between 1.6 and 6.6 NTU, and the temperature ranged from 26.5°C to 27.5°C. The
concentrations of iron, nitrate, nitrite and calcium ranged from 0.9 to 1.4, 30 to 61, 0.7 to
0.9, and 17 to 122 mg/l, respectively. Out of heavy metals, zinc ranged between 3.3 and
5.4 mg/l and lead ranged from 1.1 to 1.2 mg/l. Soil water holding capacity, porosity, pH,
organic matter, organic carbon and organic nitrogen ranged from 38 to 54, 44 to 48, 6.9–
7.5, 2.44–4.27, 1.42–2.48, and 0.12–0.21%, respectively. Statistical analyses indicated
significant differences at 95% level. The results showed that all the boreholes were not
strongly polluted but require treatment before use while the soil is absolutely unsuitable
for the crop production
Ifeoma Jennifer Oyiboka (2014) Effects Of Landfill Sites On Groundwater The results showed high degree of conformance with W.H.O standard with respect to the
Quality In Igando, Alimosho Local microbiological properties of the sampled groundwater. However, coliform tests indicated
government Area, Lagos State the potential presence of pathogens. The level of contamination of groundwater was also
determined using the Contamination Index method. Areas of high and medium
contamination were discovered. The study also showed no significant variation in water
quality with increasing distance from the dump site. Findings also indicated that the water
around Solous 1 was of better quality for domestic use than groundwater around Solous 2
and 3 due to temporal reduction of contaminant concentration. There is therefore a need
for adequate and proper planning, design and construction, and strategic management
disposal of waste, as well as the implementation of a better sustainable environmental
sanitation practice.
Autor and Year
LITERATURE REVIEW
Topic Findings
Oyelami A. Charles, Ojo A. Assessing the Effect of a Dumpsite on The result showed that almost all the physico chemical parameters such as pH (7.5-10.8),
Olabanji, Aladejana J. Abimbola Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of temperature (27.4oC-31.5oC,) EC (70µS/cm-364 µS/cm), TDS (49-248mg/l) fall within
and Agbede O. Olamide (2022) Aduramigba Estate within Osogbo limits as recommended by WHO and NSDWQ. Chemical parameters has the following
Metropolis results: Cl- (122-720mg/l), SO4 2- (0-7.41mg/l), NO3 - (0.64-1.64mg/l), HCO3 - (12.20-
91.5mg/l), Ca2+ (3.95-65.12mg/l), mg2+ (0.73-17.28mg/l), Fe2+ (0-1.36mg/l), Na+
(3.45-27.37mg/l), k+ (1.04-24.41mg/l) Mn2+ (0-0.57mg/l). All major ions revealed
concentration within the acceptable limit of both standards except Chloride and Sodium in
some of the wells, this is due to the addition of a disinfectant named Sodium
Dichloroisocyanurate (C3N3O3CL2Na) commonly called water guard and weathering of
feldspars which characterized the basement rocks underlying the area. Most of the trace
metals tested for were below detectable limit of the AAS except Zinc, Iron and
Manganese. Iron and Zinc concentrations fall well within the acceptable limit of both
WHO and NSDWQ standards.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
Description of the study site
• Aba-Eku MSW dumpsite is situated in the southeast of Ibadan metropolis, southwest Nigeria, between latitude
07° 19′ 15″ and 07° 19′ 40″ N and longitude 003° 59′ 00″ and 003° 59′ 30″ E; while the entire study area lies
within latitude 07° 18′ 00″ and 07° 21′ 00″ N and longitude 003° 58′ 00″ and 004° 02′ 00″ E. The elevation of
the study area ranges between 140 and 160 m above the mean sea level.
• The solid waste facility was opened in 1994 and sited several kilometers away from residential areas, but
rapid population growth and rapid urbanization have now turned the area into a built-up area. The dumpsite
covers an area of about 10 ha, with leachate migration following the local topographic setting into the nearby
surroundings.
• The dumpsite has collapsed and is poorly managed and it is an un-engineered open dumping site,
accommodating municipal solid waste (MSW); mainly from domestic, industrial, commercial, and
agricultural activities
MATERIALS AND METHODS CONT’

Map of Ona-Ara LGA (inset) showing the Aba-Eku Dumpsite

 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONT’
Research Design
• A descriptive correlational, comparative, and suitability study will be carried out. Purposive sampling
(also known as judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling) will be used in selecting the observation wells.
• Primary inclusion criteria will include proximity of wells to the landfill site. Water and soil samples will be
collected and analyzed to determine soil and water quality physico- chemical and bacteriological parameters and
tested parameters will also be compared with national and international soil and water quality standards
• The methodology encompassed all phases of sampling, such as sample preservation, transport to the laboratory,
equipment operation, and on-site temperature measurement.
• The physical and chemical parameters will be assessed from seven (7) observation wells (boreholes and hand-dug
wells) that are in the proximity of the open un-engineered dumpsite.
• Composite soil samples will also be collected
 MATERIALS AND METHODS CONT’
Data Analysis
 All the pools of data was subjected to statistical analysis to determine the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and linear and nonlinear
regressions using ms–excel, and MINITAB 21.
 The existence of inter-relationships between data sets was tested by linear correlation and the correlation coefficients determined at the 5% level of
significance.

Risk Assessment Methods

Five parameters will also be used for the assessment of the degree of contamination in the environment due to the trace metal accumulation.

 They are contamination factor (CF)

 Geo-accumulation index (Igeo)

 Pollution load index (PLI)

 Ecological risk (ER)

 Modified degree of contamination (mCd)

These five indices are the indicators of pollution levels in the environment.
Plate 1: Ground water Sampling Plate 1.2: Soil Sampling
 RESULTS
Table 1: Descriptive analysis of groundwater quality parameters and heavy metals, and Nigeria and WHO
Guidelines for drinking water quality
Parameters/Statistics Max Min Mean STD NSDWQ (2017) WHO (2017)
pH 6.50 6.11 6.31 0.18 6.5 - 8.5 6.5 - 8.5
EC (μS/cm) 616.00 324.00 409.20 122.60 1000 250
TDS (mg/l) 326.00 97.00 192.00 84.80 500 500
Chloride (mg/l) 108.00 36.00 72.00 25.46 250 250
Fluoride (mg/l) 0.70 0.20 0.32 0.22 1.5 1.5
Nitrate (mg/l) 1.48 0.19 1.04 0.50 50 50
Phosphate (mg/l) 0.94 0.87 0.90 0.03 NA NA
Sulphate (mg/l) 2.27 0.02 0.92 0.88 100 250
BOD (mg/l) 6.00 3.00 4.10 1.34 NA <5
COD (mg/l) 32.80 11.60 22.88 8.80 NA 10
DO (mg/l) 8.90 7.00 7.94 0.80 5 4-6
Pb (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
Cu (mg/l) 0.017 0.001 0.009 0.007 1 2
Zn (mg/l) 1.37 0.01 0.30 0.60 3 3
Cd (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.003 0.003
As (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01
Ni (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.07
Cr (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.05
 9
8.5
8

7  The slightly acidic nature of the groundwater

6 observed in the research area could be due to
5 dissolved CO2 and organic acid (fulvic and humic
pH

4 acid) produced by the decomposition and leaching

3
of plant and organic material in landfills (Khound
2
et al. 2012; Negi et al. 2018).
1  However, the hazardous heavy metal concentration
0
GW1 GW2 GW3 GW4 GW5
of the collected groundwater is below the detection
Sampling Locations level, and in some cases non-detectable, limiting
heavy metal poisoning or toxicity of the research
Figure1: pH of Water Samples and WHO reference guidelines area's groundwater.

 Nkansah et al. (2010) reported that drinking water with a pH below 6.5 can cause acidosis as well as damage to
the digestive and lymphatic systems.
 1000 1000 500 500

800 400

600 300

TDS
EC

400 200

200 100

0 0
GW1 GW2 GW3 GW4 GW5 GW1 GW2 GW3 GW4 GW5
Sampling Locations Sampling Locations

Figure 4.2 Electrical Conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids of Water Samples and WHO reference guidelines
 Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

 The electrical conductivity values of the groundwater samples are found in the range of 324 – 616 μS/cm with
a mean value of 409.20 (±122.60) μS/cm.

 This conductance range found in groundwater samples within the landfill site is within the WHO (2023) and
NSDWQ (2017) standard limit of 1000 μS/cm and thus suitable for drinking water supply (Table 2 and Figure
2)

 Total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations in groundwater samples range from 97 to 326 mg/L, with 100%
of samples falling below the permissible limit of 500 mg/L (NSDWQ, 2017; WHO, 2023) (Table 4.1 and
Figure 4.2).

 According to WHO (2023), drinking water with a TDS level <600 mg/l is generally considered palatable.
 Table 2: Heavy Metals Pollution and Evaluation Indices of water samples Analyzed

Borehol Wastewa
e Hand Dug Wells ter
Parameters/Water
Samples GW1 GW2 GW3 GW4 GW5 WW1
Pb (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.132
Cu (mg/l) 0.014 0.013 0.002 0.001 0.017 0.138
Zn (mg/l) 0.008 0.024 0.03 0.049 1.368 0.636
Cd (mg/l) ND ND ND ND ND ND
As (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.35
Ni (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.135
Cr (mg/l) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.000
HPI 0.0008 0.001 7 0.001 0.03
HEI 0.010 0.014 0.011 0.017 0.46
 Physicochemical and Trace Elements Parameters of Soil

 The particle size analysis of the soil samples shown in table 2 that the soil in proximity to the dumpsite is
predominantly loamy sand and sandy loam according to USDA soil textural classification

 the pH values ranged between 6.9 and 8.1. The soil is only slightly acidic at sampling point 8 (S8) while the
resuming soil samples are basic.

 The major effects of soil acidification on soils included the reduction in nutrients supply, increased
concentrations of metal ions in solution, especially of aluminium, and including those of manganese, copper,
zinc which may be toxic (Dorraji et al. 2010).

 Soil electrical conductivity (EC) measures soil water's ability to transmit electrical current and is determined by
the concentration of ions (cations and anions) in the soil. It is a measure of the soil salinity.

 The soil samples have EC ranging from 264 to 394 uS/cm. These values are below the high EC values for soils.
 Table 3: Trace Elements Concentration in Soils near the landfill site
Parameters Max Min Median Mean STD CV
Pb (mg/kg) 264.80 94.10 200.84 193.37 53.62 27.73
Cu (mg/kg) 46.12 28.48 36.72 36.70 5.07 13.82
Zn (mg/kg) 230.40 171.60 190.4 197.28 18.39 9.32
Cd (mg/kg) 0.95 0.00 0.25 0.36 0.35 98.01
As (mg/kg) 2.84 1.84 2.34 2.33 0.34 14.59
Ni (mg/kg) 13.80 9.43 11.2 11.32 1.34 11.84
Cr (mg/kg) 20.40 13.93 18.3 17.71 1.97 11.12

 The trace elements concentration descriptive statistics are shown in Table 3. Table 3 showed the maximum,
minimum, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation of the various heavy metals investigated in soils
within and near the dumpsite.
 Generally, mean trace elements concentration in the surface soil samples investigated within and around the
landfill site are in the order: Pb > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > As > Cd (Table 3).
 The coefficient of variations for Cd was 98%, indicating that cadmium concentrations in soil may be due to many
sources
 CONCLUSION
 In conclusion, this analysis provides critical insights into the quality of underground water sources influenced
by landfill leachate, along with the corresponding soil characteristics.
 The water quality indices (WQI) for the borehole and hand-dug well were measured at 46.99 and 41.38,
respectively, indicating that while both sources are affected by contamination, the borehole exhibits superior
water quality.
 The Pollution Load Index (PLI) for heavy metals in the underground water ranged from 0.0007 to 0.03,
significantly below the threshold of 1, indicating a negligible pollution load.
 Heavy Metal Evaluation Index ranged from 0.010 to 0.46, suggesting no significant pollution from heavy
metals.
 Despite these reassuring findings, it is crucial to remain vigilant, as even low concentrations of contaminants
can accumulate over time, posing potential health risks.
 The mean trace concentrations of heavy metals in the soil were found in the order of Pb > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni >
As > Cd, highlighting lead and zinc as the most prevalent heavy metals and warranting further investigation
 RECOMMENDATION
 Government environmental agencies should establish and oversee monitoring programs to ensure compliance
with water and soil quality standards.

 Local governments and landfill operators should invest in and maintain advanced leachate treatment systems
to minimize contamination risks.

 Government agencies, in collaboration with NGOs and community organizations, should develop and
promote educational initiatives to raise awareness about landfill impacts and sustainable practices.

 Policymakers should work to develop and enforce stricter regulations on landfill operations and leachate
management, ensuring environmental protection and public health safety.
 REFERENCE
 Oyelami A. Charles, Ojo A. Olabanji, Aladejana J. Abimbola and Agbede O. Olamide
(2013): Assessing the Effect of a Dumpsite on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of
Aduramigba Estate within Osogbo Metropolis. Journal of Environment and Earth
Science www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3216 (Paper) ISSN 2225-0948 (Online) Vol. 3,
No.1, 2013.

 Christopher Oluwakunmi AKINBILE (2012): Environmental Impact of Landfill on

Groundwater Quality and Agricultural Soils in Nigeria. Soil & Water Res., 7, 2012
(1): 18–26

 Ifeoma Jennifer Oyiboka (2014): Effects Of Landfill Sites On Groundwater Quality In

Igando, Alimosho Localgovernment Area, Lagos State. Unpublish research
THANK YOU