A PROJECT SEMINAR REPORT SUBMITTED TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (FARM)
EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY (EBSU)
ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc.) DEGREE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Abstract
The effect of solid waste disposal on the soil in Abakaliki metropolis was carried out in this study chemical property of the soil sample taken from 3 selected point of the control site located in CAS campus and the dumpsite located at water works and Abakaliki/Enugu express way respectively, was analyzed. Profile pit was dug at the non-dumpsite and dumpsite soil and the samples were collected form the depths of (0-15, 15-30 and 30-45cm). The result of the study showed that total percent Nitrogen was highest in the top soil of the dumpsite soil. The observed values were 0.28%, 0.140% and 0.0128% at the depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45cm respectively, in contrast with the values obtained at the non-dumpsite soils which were 0.15, 0.084 and 0.056 at the depths of 0-15, 15-30 and 30-45cm respectively. Similarly the total percent organic matter was higher in the municipal waste dumpsite than in the non dumpsite. The observed values for the dumpsite were 4.24%, 4.03% and 3.06% at the depths of 0-15, 15-20 and 30-45cm.The study showed that municipal waste dump, has more influence on soil chemical properties compared to the non-dumpsite soil.
INTRODUCTION
What does waste mean? Waste is anything that discarded by a an individual, a household or an organization. A combination of different substances, some of which are hazardous to health, and can amount to build up of waste over time (Odukoya et al 2006). Waste can however, be classified into two groups namely; controlled (household, commercial and construction waste) which amounts to municipal waste. Olayemi et al 2005). And the uncontrolled waste which includes: (wastes generated from agricultural, mining and quarry activities) which can be called industrial waste. Waste management can be said to be the control in production, storage, collection, transportation, processing and final disposal of waste (Olayemi et al 2005).
Waste collection and disposal is a serious problem in Abakaliki metropolis, which leads to the indiscriminate disposal which is evident today. Furthermore, disposal sites may contain paper, food waste, metal, concrete, ceramics and ashes. The soil has traditionally been an important medium of organic waste disposal (Marshall et al, 1999), and the soil is primary recipient of solid waste (Myles and Ray, 1999). These wastes end up interacting with the soil system thereby changing the physical and chemical properties (Piccolo and Mbakwu 1997). According to Anikwe (2000), solid waste amended soil has a high content of organic matter.
Soil organic matter increases the degree of aggregation and aggregate stability (Mbagwu and Piccolo, 1990). According to Anikwe and Nwobodo (2001) municipal waste, increases nitrogen, pH, caution exchange capacity, percentage base saturation and organic matter.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to determine the actual effect of dumping solid waste on the soil in Abakaliki metropolis.
THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE
· To determine and compare the chemical properties of dumpsite soil and non-dumpsite soil.
· To determine and compare the cat ion exchange capacity and the percentage base saturation of non-dumpsite and dumpsite soil.
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
STUDY AREA
The research was carried out at dumpsite soils located at waterworks and Enugu Abakaliki express way, and non-dumpsite soil located in CAS all in Ebonyi state (060 04´ N and 080 65´E) south east of the derived savanna zone of Nigeria. It lies at the intersect of Enugu, Afikpo and Ogoja. The climate of Abakaliki is tropical, with the average temperature range of 27-310 C. the annual rainfall pattern in bi-modal. Relative humidity range form 60-80% throughout the year. The city is still a developing one and hosts quite a number of factories (Cement, rice, quarrying etc). It also has a golf course an amusement park and luxurious hotels (world Gazette, 2007).
MATERIALS
The materials used for the collection of soil samples included, shovel, differ, cutlass nose mask hand gloves measuring tape/ruler, sample bags, a pen and a jotting pad.
As survey of the research site was carried out and then the soil sample was collected, all in Abakaliki. At each location a pit was dug and soil sample was collected at varying depths of.
0 – 15cm
15 – 30cm
30 – 45cm.
In each pit dug, a cutlass and a hoe was used to scrap the soil in each depth at different locations. The soil after been collected was air dried for about 2 weeks, and was sieved using a 2 mm sieve. It was stored in preparation for laboratory analysis which took place at the S.E.M laboratory Ebonyi State University.
Laboratory determination/analysis
This soil sample was analyzed based of different chemical properties of the soil which included C, pH, P(mg/kg) %N, %OC, %OM, Ca, Mg, K, Na, EA, ECEC and % Bs.
– Total percent nitrogen was determine by macro Kjaledual method as described by Bremmer and Breigtenbech (1983).
– Total percent organic carbon and carbon was determined by walker black method.
– C, Mg, K and Na were determined using the method described by walker-black (1934).
– Available phosphorus was determined through extraction by Bray Ii method as described by jack son (1962).
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
The data obtained was analyzed using mean concentration, standard deviation and the coefficient of variance.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The result of the soil analysis done, showed the variation that exists between dumpsite soil and non-dumpsite soil. The content of the selected parameter varied in the different samples, which helps to determine the actual effect of dumping municipal waste or refuse on the soil.
TABLE 1: SELECTED CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE SOIL DUMPSITE 1
|
Soil Depth |
Na |
K |
Mg |
Ca |
ECEC |
BS |
EA |
||
|
(cm) |
Cmol.kg-1 |
Cmolkg-1 |
Cmol.kg -1 |
Cmol.kg -1 |
Cmolkg-1 |
(%) |
Cmolkg-1 |
||
|
0-15 |
0.148 |
0.133 |
9.40 |
16.80 |
27.12 |
2.36 |
0.64 |
||
|
15-30 |
0.071 |
0.102 |
4.80 |
8.40 |
14.17 |
5.65 |
0.80 |
||
|
30-45 |
0.089 |
0.077 |
2.80 |
4.00 |
7.85 |
11.21 |
0.88 |
||
|
Mean(conc) |
0.103 |
0.104 |
5.67 |
9.73 |
16.41 |
6.41 |
0.77 |
||
|
CV% |
39.11 |
26.97 |
59.69 |
67.01 |
59.86 |
624.34 |
16.25 |
||
|
DUMPSITE 2 |
|||||||||
|
Soil Depth |
Na |
K |
Mg |
Ca |
ECEC |
BS |
EA |
||
|
(cm) |
Cmol.kg-1 |
Cmolkg-1 |
Cmol.kg -1 |
Cmol.kg -1 |
Cmolkg-1 |
(%) |
Cmolkg-1 |
||
|
15-30 |
0.078 |
0.118 |
2.40 |
5.60 |
9.56 |
14.23 |
1.36 |
||
|
30-45 |
0.052 |
0.051 |
2.40 |
4.80 |
10.34 |
29.40 |
3.04 |
||
|
Mean (conc) |
0.072 |
0.087 |
2.47 |
6.00 |
10.11 |
16.25 |
1.65 |
||
|
CV% |
25.25 |
39.08 |
4.86 |
24.04 |
4.77 |
75.51 |
76.97 |
||
NON-DUMPSITE (CONTROL SITE)
|
Soil Depth |
Na |
K |
Mg |
Ca |
ECEC |
BS |
EA |
|
(cm) |
Cmol.kg-1 |
Cmol.kg1 |
Cmol.kg -1 |
Cmol.kg-1 |
Cmol.kg-1 |
(%) |
Cmol.kg-1 |
|
0-15 |
0.097 |
0108 |
3.80 |
10.00 |
15.84 |
6.06 |
0.96 |
|
15-30 |
0.88 |
0.092 |
2.40 |
4.00 |
10.42 |
36.85 |
3.84 |
|
30-45 |
0.062 |
0.087 |
1.60 |
3.20 |
12.87 |
61.54 |
7.92 |
|
Mean (conc) |
0.082 |
0.096 |
2.60 |
5.73 |
13.04 |
34.82 |
4.24 |
|
CV% |
24.38 |
11.46 |
42.69 |
64.92 |
20.81 |
71.81 |
82.55 |
Sodium
It was observed that the sodium content in dumpsite soil was the highest at the depth of 0-15cm, the range of sodium in soils (tables 1) ranged between 0.052 at 30-45cm to 0.148 at 0-15cm in dumpsite soils. The highest value obtained at 0-15cm dumpsites soil 1, and was 52.02% and 39.86% higher than at 15-30cm and 30-45cm respectively, while the highest value obtained at non-dumpsite soil was 45.4% higher than at 15-30 and 30-45cm respectively.
Potassium
The potassium content of the dumpsite soils recorded in table 1 showed that potassium value ranged between 0.051-0.133 at dumpsite I and 2 respectively. With the highest value of 0.133 observed at the depth of 0-15cm, which was 84.96% higher than at 15-30 and 30-45cm respectively. Similarly at the non-dumpsite soil potassium content ranged between 0.087 to 0.108 with the highest value observed at the depth of 0.-15cm.
Magnesium
At 0-15 cm of the dumpsite soils, the magnesium content varied significantly with the dumpsite soil 1 recording a 9.40 and dumpsite soil 2 recording 2.60 at 0-15cm depths. The range of magnesium in soils (table 1) ranged between 9.40 to 2.40 dumpsite soil 1 and 2 respectively. While in the non-dumpsite soil magnesium ranged between 3.80 to 1.60.
Calcium
The result of the study shown in table 1 revealed that the highest calcium value was obtained at the depth of 0-15cm in the dumpsite soil. Calcium content range of the dumpsite soils was between 4.00-16.80. The highest value observed at 0-15cm, and was 50% and 76.2% higher than at 15-30 and 30-45cm respectively. Also the range of calcium in the non-dumpsite soil ranged between 10.00 to 3.20, with the highest value of 10.00 obtained at 0-15cm depth and was 60% and 68%, higher than at 15-30cm and 30-45cm respectively.
EA (Exchangeable Acid)
At 30-45cm depth, the exchangeable acidity was lower at the dumpsite soils than in the non-dumpsite. The range of exchangeable acid (tables 1) ranged between 0.56 to 7.92 with the highest value obtained at the depth of 30.45cm in the non dumpsite soil.
ECEC
The mean range cation exchange capacity (table 1) ranged between 7.85 at dumpsite soil 1 at the depth of 30-45cm to 27.12 also at the dumpsite soil 2 at the depth 7.0-05cm. High ECEC favour displacement of other ions. Soils above 5mg/100g are easily exchangeable and this may result in acidity and alkalinity at this level, and lead to heavy metal concentration in the soil (Kumar, 1987).
Base Saturation
The total range of base saturation (table 1) range between 2.36% in dumpsite soil 1 at the depth of 0-15cm to 61.54% in then on-dumpsite soil at the depth of 30-45 cm. base saturation greater than 80% may give rise to dispersion which increases micro-nutrient solubility, mobility and leaching Ekundayo (2003).
pH
The pH of the soil ranges from 5.29 to 8.43. Weiss (1974) recognized that strongly acidic and strongly alkaline soil are unsuitable for waste dump site. Te soil pH range of 5.29 is not very acidic, but the ph range of 8.43 is quite alkaline.. soils below 3.34, 3.64 and 3.96 are extremely acidic. At such pH levels, they tend to be an increased micro nutrient solubility and mobility, as well as heavy metals concentration in the soil. (Kumar, 1987).
Percent organic carbon
A high level of organic carbon (>2%) (table 2) in dump site 2 was found to be conducive for heavy metal chelate formation, increase exchange capacities as well as increased infiltration of surface water to avoid surface flooding (E.Kundayo an fagbami, 1996). Hence the soil at dumpsite 1 is very high in organic carbon. However dumpsite 2 and the non dumpsite recorded 1.98 and 1.74 at 0-15cm depth respectively.
Percent organic matter
The range of percent organic matter (table 2) ranged from 4.24 at the depth of 0-15cm in dumpsite soil 1 to 1.81 at the dept of 30-45cm in the non-dumpsite, organic matter above (3.5%) is quite high and will favour micro-nutrient solubility and mobility, thus would also favour efficient plant growth.
TABLE 2: mean concentration of selected chemical properties
|
Dumpsite 1 |
|||||||
|
Soil depth (cm) |
pH |
%OC |
%OM |
P mg/kg |
%N |
C |
|
|
0-15 |
7.85 |
2.46 |
4.24 |
73.90 |
0.28 |
8.51 |
|
|
15-30 |
6.73 |
2.34 |
4.03 |
30.40 |
0.140 |
1.44 |
|
|
30-45 |
6.48 |
1.78 |
3.06 |
8.70 |
0.02 |
0.41 |
|
|
Mean (Conc) |
7.02 |
2.19 |
3.78 |
37.7 |
0.15 |
1.79 |
|
|
CV% |
14.46 |
16.57 |
16.67 |
681.2 |
86.7 |
88.3 |
|
Dumpsite 2
|
Soil depth (cm) |
pH |
% OC |
% OM |
P mg/kg |
% N |
C |
|
0-15 |
8.43 |
1.98 |
3.47 |
29.80 |
0.077 |
0.92 |
|
15.30 |
5.3– |
1.25 |
2.60 |
12.90 |
0.042 |
0.80 |
|
30-45 |
5.29 |
1.17 |
2.00 |
6.40 |
0.042 |
0.45 |
|
Mean (Conc) |
6.35 |
1.47 |
2.72 |
16.4 |
0.054 |
0.72 |
|
CV% |
28.37 |
30.25 |
25.37 |
73.8 |
37.43 |
33.92 |
Non- Dumpsite (Control Site)
|
Soil depth (cm) |
pH |
% OC |
%OM |
P mg/kg |
% N |
C |
|
0-15 |
6.43 |
1.74 |
2.99 |
34.60 |
0.154 |
1.64 |
|
15-30 |
5.83 |
1.45 |
2.49 |
23.90 |
0.84 |
1.31 |
|
30-45 |
5.65 |
1.05 |
1.81 |
10.40 |
0.056 |
0.48 |
|
Mean (Conc) |
5.97 |
1.41 |
2.43 |
22.97 |
0.098 |
1.15 |
|
CV% |
6.87 |
24.82 |
20.29 |
52.80 |
51.51 |
52.2 |
Phosphorus
The range of phosphorus in soils (tables) ranged between 6.40 in dumpsite soil 2 and 73.90 in dumpsite soil I respectively. High phosphorus as shown in dumpsite 1 favour high plant root penetration and the formation of a complex chemical compound that forms in strongly acids solution (Tel and Hagarty, 1984).
Percent Nitrogen
The mean total percent nitrogen ranged between 0.054% in dumpsite 2 and 0.15% in dumpsite 1 however, the highest value of percent nitrogen was obtained at the depth of 0-15cm at the non-dumpsite soil. Nitrogen above 0.4% in the soil is not suitable for refuse dumpsite because it will lead to leaching excess nitrogen into the ground water.
Carbon
The range of carbon in soils (table 3) ranged between 0.41 at the depth of 30-45cm in dumpsite soil 1 to 3.51 at the depth of 0.15 also at dumpsite soil 1. In the non dumpsite it was observed that carbon ranged between 0.49-1.64 at varying depths.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
For many years now, different method and approach have been introduced to increase soil fertility. The most widely used among these is the use of inorganic fertilizers.
In view of the high cost of inorganic fertilizers and significantly low income of farmers in rural area, there is the need to pioneer a new era of agragrain revolution, it has become so important to optimize the use of locally available resources that can reach poor formers within and outside their locality. From the general result of this experiment the incorporation of refuse dump may increases soil fertility.
Municipal wastes have been found to increase the quantity of both macro and micro-elements of the dumpsite relative to the non-dumpsite. Soil from dumpsites has been observed to improve productivity.
Recommendation
Base on observed high %OM and available phosphorus in dumpsite soil, it is recommended that farmer in the area should source dumpsite of municipal waste since it tends to improve soil productivity. However, farmer should take note of the health hazards associated with the venture of utilizing such resources.
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