Analysis of Soil in Selected Dumpsites in Ekpan and Effurun Communities and Effect To the environment

The emergence of dumpsites is an unfortunate by-product of an increasingly consumer-driven society. The narrative is one of overconsumption and under-regulation, as urban landscapes burgeon with waste that strains the capacity of existing waste management infrastructure. With inadequate resources to manage the mounting waste, many communities resort to establishing dumpsites as a temporary solution. . Heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and contaminants from discarded electronics have infiltrated dumpsite soils, posing insidious risks to human health, exacerbating environmental degradation, and undermining the progress towards sustainable development goals. The story of soil analysis in dumpsites encapsulates the need for proactive intervention, responsible waste management, and innovative remediation strategies. In the subsequent sections of this report, we delve deeper into the intricacies of soil analysis in dumpsites. This study assesses the physical and chemical properties, the concentration of heavy metals and contamination status of soils around waste dumps located at ekpan and effurun communities. The Physicochemical properties of the soils from ekpan and effurun dumpsites ranges from; pH:6.1-6.55, Electrical conductivity (Ec): 165-220, Temperature: 29.7-29.7 oC, Moisture content:17.14-23.17%, THC:83.2-119.02(mg/kg), TOC:1.55-1.45%, Chloride:119.08- 153.88(mg/kg), Sulphate:11.69-24.68(mg/kg), Nitrate:9.26-11.31(mg/kg), Metal concentration (mg/kg) ranges from; lead:5.24-4.89(mg/kg), Nickel:9.26-11.31(mg/kg), Iron:5398-7142(mg/kg), Cadnium:1.22-2.3(mg/kg), Zinc:125.24-125.07(mg/kg), PAH:8.81-17.02(mg/kg). These dumpsites were similar in characteristics and where contaminated with pb, Ni, Zn, Fe and Cd. The pollution load index indicated that the dumpsite had no adverse effect on the soil. The main environmental problem associated with the disposal sites could be the potential risk posted to the soil. Hence, there should be proper treatment method on waste to prevent health hazard on living organisms, decisive approach in waste management and disposal, and sensitization to the people living in these communities on the implications of these improper waste disposal practices.