Impact of Municipal Wastes on the Water Quality around Rumuola Borrow Pit, Rivers State, Nigeria

Ngah S.A., Ubong I.U, Ozoekwe V.E

The impact of municipal wastes dumped into the Rumuola Borrow Pit on the surface and ground water quality of its environment was assessed by analyzing the physicochemical parameters, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals from adjoining boreholes and surface water from the borrow pit. The deposition and decomposition of municipal wastes led to an increase in acidity, BOD₅ concentrations (4.9mg/l), Turbidity (13 NTU) and NO₃-N values [<0.05 mg/l – 0.15 mg/l (mean 0.085mg/l)]. Analysis of Variance results showed similar trends for most parameters during the dry and wet season. Dissolved Oxygen depletion downstream is a clear indication of the impact of these municipal wastes. Surface and ground water around the borrow pit was screened for the presence of 16 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) by Gas Chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC/FID). PAHs components recorded in the surface water ranged between 112 µg/l and 133 µg/l). PAHs were not detected in the boreholes implying that they are not being impacted by the water quality of the borrow pit. The Molecular Ratios (Phenanthrene/Anthracene) and (Fluoranthrene/Pyrene) determined the sources of PAHs found in the Rumuola Borrow Pit as pyrolytic and petrogenic.