Abstract
ABSTRACTThis study characterized some indices of heavy metals in the soils of Ewhare dumpsite and adjoining land in Agbaro-Warri, Delta State, in Nigeria’s Niger Delta in order to ascertain the status and degree of contamination there. Six soil samples were collected within the dumpsite or down slope location (DS) and the adjoining up slope location bordering the dumpsite (US) at three depths. Samples collected were pre-treated and analyzed using standard procedures and necessary precautionary quality assurance steps observed. The heavy metal composition was determined in Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The result showed that the concentration of heavy metal were in the following decreasing order: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Cr > Ni > V. Computation of Enrichment factor (EF) of the heavy metals showed that there was a,moderate enrichment for copper (Cu), a significant enrichment of zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni), very high enrichment for chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and vanadium (V). The Contamination factor (CF) indicated low contamination of Fe, moderate contamination of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) at the dumpsite location and only the top soil (0-15cm) of the adjoining land; considerable contamination of nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V) at the dumpsite and top soil of the adjoining land; very high contamination of zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Pollution Load Index (PLI) showed that Ewhare dumpsite is polluted (PLI > 1) by metals. The Geo accumulation Index (Igeo) showed that soils of Ewhare dumpsite was practically not polluted for Fe and Mn from anthropogenic standpoint. However, it is moderately to heavily polluted with zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni); heavily polluted with vanadium (V); heavily to extremely polluted with chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Potential ecological risk index (PERI) showed slight pollution of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), medium pollution for chromium (Cr), Strong pollution for nickel (Ni); very strong pollution for lead (Pb) and extremely strong pollution of cadmium (Cd). The risk index (RI) for Ewhare dumpsite indicated a very strong risk or level D for the dumpsite and adjoining upslope location respectively. Mn, Zn, CU, Cr, Pb and Ni showed low ecological risk (RI < 150) in all sample depths in the study area except Cd which showed very high ecological risk (RI> 600) in all sample depths in the study area. In view of the level of soil pollution of this dumpsite located in an estuarine setting, with shallow aquifer, it is suggested that an alternative be sought for this dumpsite as there is a high probability of groundwater contamination with heavy metals which could endanger the health of local inhabitants that depend on water wells for their domestic use. If the dumpsite must remain opened on the short-term, it is suggested that soil and groundwater monitoring program be initiated by the State Environmental Ministry and appropriate warnings disseminated when necessary. Furthermore, comprehensive studies of organic contaminants in the dumpsite soil and it’s environ is also recommended in view of the sundry wastes dumped daily.

Keywords
Heavy metals; Municipal solid Waste dumpsite; Soil pollution; Warri;; Pollution index; Niger Delta.

Cite this paper
Dirisu, C.E., E.Biose, I.T. Aighewi, Heavy Metal Contamination of Ewhare Dumpsite Environment in Nigeria’s Niger Delta. , SCIREA Journal of Environment. Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2019 | PP. 30-45.

References

[ 1 ]	Aboyade, A. (2004). The potential for climate change mitigation in the Nigerian solid waste disposal sector: a case study from Lagos. Masters thesis, Lund University, Sweden.
[ 2 ]	Adedosu, H.O., Adewuyi, G.O. and Adie, G.U. (2013).Assessment of heavy metals in soil, leachate and underground water samples collected from the vicinity of Olusosun landfill in Ojota, Lagos, Nigeria. Transnational Journal of Science and Technology3(6): 73-87.
[ 3 ]	Anetor, J. I., Anetor, G.O., Iyanda, A.A., Adeniyi, F.A. (2008). Environmental chemicals and human neurotoxicity: magnitude, prognosis and markers. Africa Journal Biomedical Research 11:1-12.
[ 4 ]	Association of Analytical chemistry (A.O.A.C). 2000. Official methods of Analysis of A.O.A.C.., INTERNATIONAL 17TH Edition. Vol. II. Gaithenburf, M.D, USA, Official method.920-957.
[ 5 ]	Bhuiyan, M. A. H., Parvez, L., Islam, M. A., Dampare, S. B. and Suzuki, S., 2010. Heavy metal pollution of coal mine-affected agricultural soils in the northern part of Bangladesh.J. Hazard Mater. 173, 384–392.
[ 6 ]	Boszke, L., Sobczynski, T. and Kowalski, A. (2004).Distribution of mercury and other heavy metals in bottom sediments of the middle Odra river (Germany/Poland).Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 13(5):495-502.
[ 7 ]	Caylak, E., Tokar, M. (2012). Metallic and microbial contaminants in drinking water of Cankiri, Turkey. E-Journal of Chemistry 9(2): 608-614Duce, R. A., Hoffmann, G. L., Zoller, W. H. (1975) Atmospheric trace metals at remote northern and southern Hemisphere sites: Pollution or natural science. 187: 59–61
[ 8 ]	Esakku, S., Palanivelu, K., Kurian, J. (2003). Assessment of heavy metals in a municipal solid waste dumpsite. Workshop on Sustainable Landfill Management3(5): 139-145
[ 9 ]	Fonge, B. A.1, Nkoleka, E. N., Asong, F. Z., Ajonina, S. A. and Che, V. B. (2017).Heavy metal contamination in soils from a municipal landfill, surrounded by banana plantation in the easternflank of Mount Cameroon.African Journal of Biotechnology.16(25): 1391-1399.
[ 10 ]	Hakanson, L., 1980. An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control.A sedimentological approach.Water Res. 14(8), 975–1001
[ 11 ]	Ihenyen, A. E (1998). Heavy metal pollution studies on roadside sediments in metropolitan Lagos Nigeria. Environmental Science.MY Tokyo. 6:1-6.
[ 12 ]	Ikem, A.O., Osibanjo, O., Scridler, O. and Sobande, A. (2002). Evaluation of ground water quality characteristics near two waste sites in Ibadan and Lagos, Nigeria. Waste Air Soil pollutant140: 307-333.
[ 13 ]	Imasuen O. I. and Omorogieva O. M. (2013). Comparative study of Heavy Metals Distribution in a Mechanic Workshop and a Refuse Dumpsite in Oluku and Otofure Benin City, Edo State, Southwestern Nigeria. J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage. 17(3): 425-430
[ 14 ]	Jiang, X., Lu, W. X., Zhao, H. Q., Yang, Q. C. and Yang, Z. P., 2014. Potential ecological risk assessment and prediction of soil heavy-metal pollution around coal gangue dump. Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. 14, 1599-1610.
[ 15 ]	Kothai, P., Prathibha, P., Saradhi, I. V., Pandit, G. G. and Puranik, V. D., 2009.Characterization of atmospheric particulate matter using pixe technique.Int. J. Environ. Sci. Eng.,1(1): 27 – 30.
[ 16 ]	Levy, D. B., Barbarick, K. A., Siemer, E. G. and Sommers, L. E., 1992. Distribution and partitioning of trace metals in contaminated soils near Leadville, Colorado. J. Environ. Qual. 21(2): 185–195.
[ 17 ]	Muller, G. (1969). Index of geo-accumulation in sediments of the Rhine River.Geo. J. 2(3):108-118.
[ 18 ]	Müller, G. 1979. Heavy Metals in the Sediment of the Rhine-Changes Seity.Umschau in Wissenschaft und Technik, 79, 778-783.
[ 19 ]	Ngole, V. M.and Ekosse, G. E. (2012).Copper, nickel and zinc contamination in soils within the precincts of mining and landfilling environments.Intl. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 9:485-494.
[ 20 ]	Nweke, M. O. and Ukpai, S. N. (2016).Use of Enrichment, Ecological Risk and Contamination Factors with Geoaccumulation Indexes to Evaluate Heavy Metal Contents in the Soils around Ameka Mining Area, South of Abakaliki, Nigeria.Journal of Geography, Environment and earth Science International. 5(4): 1-13
[ 21 ]	Odukoya, A. M.(2015).Contamination Assessment of Toxic Elements in the Soil within and around two Dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria.Ife Journal of Science. 17( 2): 351-361
[ 22 ]	Ogundiran, O.O., Afolabi, T.A. (2008). Assessment of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals toxicity of leachates from municipal solid waste open dumpsite. Interenational Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 5(2): 243 -250.
[ 23 ]	Ojodomo, J. A.,Ocholi I. O.,Ahmadu A. O. and Uzoma P. N (2016). Assessment of Heavy Metals Levels and Leaching Potentials in Dumpsites Soils in Wukari, North-Eastern Nigeria.International Journal of Modern Analytical and Separation Sciences, 5(1): 20-31
[ 24 ]	Olubunmi, S. S., Olufemi J. A., Augustus O. A. I., Abidemi O. F. and Adetola, T. A. (2018). Heavy Metal Contamination of a Dumpsite Environment as Assessed with Pollution Indices.International Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.12(1): 1-7
[ 25 ]	Olukanni, D. O and Adeoye, D. O. (2012). Heavy metal concentration in road side soils from selected locations in the Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria. Int. J. Engin. Technol. 2(10): 1743-1752.
[ 26 ]	Osibanjo, O. (2003). Organochlorines in Nigeria and Africa. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (3rd ed.) Fiedler, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, China. pp. 322-326.
[ 27 ]	Oyelola, O.T. and Babatunde, A.I. (2008). Effect of municipal solid waste on the levels of heavy metals in Olusosun dumpsite, Lagos State, Nigeria. International Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences2(1): 17-21.
[ 28 ]	Popescu C. G. 2011. Relation between vehicle traffic and heavy metals from the particulate matters. Rom. Rep. Phys. 63(2): 471-482.
[ 29 ]	Seshan, B. R. R., Natesan, U. and Deepthi, K. 2010. Geochemical and statistical approach for evaluation of heavy metal pollution in core sediments in southeast coast of India. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Tech.,7(2): 291-306.
[ 30 ]	Simex, S. A. and Helz, G. R., 1981.Regional geochemistry of trace elements in Chesapeake Bay.Environ. Geo. 3: 315- 323.
[ 31 ]	Sutherland, R. A. (2000). Depth variation in copper, lead, and zinc concentrations and mass enrichment ratios in soils of an urban watershed. J Environ Qual. 29:1414–1422
[ 32 ]	Tomlinson, D. C., Wilson, D. J., Harris, C. R. and Jeffrey, D. W., 1980. Problem in heavy metals in estuaries and the formation of pollution index.Helgol.Wiss.Meere-sunlter. 33(1-4): 566-575.
[ 33 ]	Ukpebor, E. E., Oviasogie, P. O. and Onuigbe, C. A. (2003). The distribution of Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni and Pb around two major refuse dumpsites in Benin City, Nigeria. Pakistan Journal of Sci. Ind. Res. 46 (6)pp. 418-423
[ 34 ]	Yurtsever, M. and Sengil, I.A. (2009). Biosoption of Pb (II) ions by modified quebracho, tannin and resins. Hazard Mater163(1): 58-64.
[ 35 ]	Zsefer, P., Glasby, G. P., Sefer, K., Pempkowiak, J. and Kaliszan, R., (1996). Heavy-metal pollution in superficial sediments from the southern Baltic Sea off Poland. J. Environ. Sci. Health. Part A: Environ. Sci. Engin. Toxicol. 31: 2723-2754.