Leachate Contamination of Groundwater from Dumpsites in Effurun and Environs, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater study was carried out in Effurun and environs to determine leachate contamination of water. One leachate sample and two bore-hole water samples were collected from three different locations. The samples were analysed using internationally acceptable method, the analysed parameters include pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Conductivity, Temperature, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Lead, Cadmium, some major anions (Nitrate, Sulphate, Chloride, Phosphate) and Total Coliform Count.The major cation concentrations determined were in the order of Ca²⁺> Mg²⁺>Fe²⁺with mean values of 4.2mg/l, 1.59mg/l, and 1.17mg/l, respectively and those of the major anion concentration of the water is of the order Cl^- > SO₄^2-> NO^3-> PO₄^3-with mean values of 24.45mg/l, 6.81mg/l, 2.58mg/l and 1.88mg/l respectively. This study also revealed the health implication of some of the parameters that are of higher concentration in the water and as such higher than the permissible limit set aside by SON and WHO standards.