Publication: Assesment Of The Concentration Of Selected Heavy Metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn) In Soils Within The Nyambera Dumpsite
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2020-06-26
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Research Gate
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Abstract
Heavy metals are part of the soil, but at high concentration levels are considered toxic. With the current exponential population growth, urbanization, industrialization and advancement in agriculture has increased solid waste significantly over time. Due to lack of proper well-structured waste management systems, solid waste has been disposed in open dumpsite which lack any mechanism of control. Over time, due to accumulation-various heavy metals are introduced in the soils and end up being leached, carried away by surface-runoff or introduced to plants by farmers who rely on refuse (from the dumpsite) to plant their crops. This study was aimed at determining the concentration levels of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn at the Nyambera dumpsite and compare their levels with the WHO recommendation levels for soils. Stratified random sampling was employed and soil samples collected on top of the dumpsites, the slope of the dumpsite and at the banks of river Nyakomisaro which flows adjacent to the dumpsite. Digestion was carried using concentrated hydrochloric acid then topped up to 100ml. Metal analysis was carried out using ICPOES. The results of Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn were as follows 91.31, 281.8, 3.253 and 542.3 ppm respectively. The concentrations were found to be very high at the dumpsite as compared to the recommended levels by WHO. Based on the results obtained the dumpsite should be treated with various remediation methods being applied to help lower the levels of these metals. Farmers using the refuse as manure for their crops should seek other alternatives for their farms.
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Kisii University, Kenyatta University