World Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2013, Vol. 1, No. 4, 59-62 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/wjac/1/4/3 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/wjac-1-4-3 Impact Assessment of Contamination Pattern of Solid Waste Dumpsites Soil: A Comparative Study of Bauchi Metropolis D. S. Buteh, I.Y. Chindo * , E. O. Ekanem, E. M. Williams Chemistry Programme, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi *Corresponding author: istifanuschindo@yahoo.com Received August 21, 2013; Revised September 09, 2013; Accepted September 16, 2013 Abstract Soils samples from four different dumpsites namely Makama Housing Estate (MHE), Gwallaga (GW), Rafin Makaranta (RM), and Yelwa Makaranta (YM) in Bauchi metropolis were collected and analysed for some heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb and Cu) using complexometric method. The results of the analyses showed that the four dumpsites have the following range of mean concentrations: Cd 0.21-1.21 mg/kg; Cr 5.04-8.31 mg/kg; Pb 4.31- 10.63 mg/kg and Cu 0.79-2.07 mg/kg. The dumpsite soils were significantly different from those obtained from control sites. The contamination intensities of chromium and lead pollution were strong at Rafin Makaranta using geoaccumulation classification. These may suggested that solid waste dumpsite contributes to heavy metals contamination of the environment. Keywords: complexometric method, geoaccumulation classification, dumpsites, contamination, Bauchi Cite This Article: D. S. Buteh, I.Y. Chindo, E. O. Ekanem, and E. M. Williams, “Impact Assessment of Contamination Pattern of Solid Waste Dumpsites Soil: A Comparative Study of Bauchi Metropolis.” World Journal of Analytical Chemistry 1, no. 4 (2013): 59-62. doi: 10.12691/wjac-1-4-3. 1. Introduction Metals are known to be present in soil in different chemical forms, which influence their reactivity and hence their mobility and bioavailability [1]. Heavy metals concentrations in soil are associated with biological and geochemical cycles and are influenced by anthropogenic activities such as agricultural practices, industrial activities and waste disposal methods [2]. Wastes degradation leads to the pollution of soils by many pollutants through leachate seepage. The soils under and around the landfills are therefore subjected to different types of pollution including those caused by trace elements [3]. The risks associated with the presence of heavy metals are varied and depend on their chemical forms (metal, oxide, and organometallic). The impact of these metals in soils is their possible transfer into water or plants, which is defined in term of bioavailability. Cd, Cr and Pb are considered as the most important environmental pollutants in agricultural soils because of the potential harmful effects they may have on food quality and health of soil [4]. Copper which is an active ingredient of fungicides is reported as one of the most toxic metals to soil microorganisms and soil health [5]. The disposal of solid waste is a practice that still brings serious impacts to the environment generating pollution by-products derived from waste [6]. The toxicity and impact provoked from waste on microflora and microfauna is very strong and they are influenced by various factors such as organic matter, heavy metals and nitrogen concentrations as well as mass flux of contaminations being transported [7]. Studies have shown that soil at refuse dumpsites contain different kinds and concentrations of heavy metals, depending on the age, contents and location [8]. In recent times, it has been reported that heavy metals from waste dumpsites can be accumulated and persist in soils at an environmentally hazardous level [9]. In Nigeria, leachate from refuse dumpsites constitutes a source of heavy metal pollution to both soil and aquatic environment [10]. Nevertheless, most abandoned waste dumpsites in Nigeria have been used extensively as fertile ground for cultivating variety of vegetables. Identifying compounds that cause the toxicity in the soil is not easy because the physical-chemical characteristics of soil is highly variable and dependant on the following factors; local environmental conditions, time elapsed after waste disposal and landfill characteristics as well [6]. Toxicity tests are bioassays used in pollution control for determining the maximum permitted concentrations of a given chemical agent for the development/survival of certain living organisms [11]. Toxic compounds can have two different effects on living organisms; acute toxicity, which is possible to evaluate in the short term upon the death of the organism, and chronic toxicity, whose evaluation takes longer time, in this case, sub-lethal effects must be analysed [11]. This paper is focused at assessing the levels of heavy metals contamination at different dumpsites soils in Bauchi metropolis.