Effect of Leachate on Soil in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State Nigeria

Abstract

Effect leachate on soil quality in Jos is expected because the disposal sites continues to be the major route of infiltration as it affects quality of the area. Six selected disposal sites soil and normal soil were collected local auger at depth range of 1.5 and 3.0 m with distances of 1.0, 1.5,3.0m. The study aim identifies the effect, using PAST statistical software and excel to analyze the results. Particle size of sand has higher percentage with increase porosity from surface to subsurface (surface range 39.54-73.22, subsurface 40.72-73.50). Moisture contents increase from surface to subsurface. Specific gravity decreases from surface to subsurface (surface range 2.58-2.65, subsurface 2.15-2.44). Shear strength result shows increase to subsurface (surface range 15.65-17.43, subsurface 16.34-18.30). Compressibility test result shows slight increase from surface to subsurface. Permeability result show increase from surface to subsurface. Physical characteristics of pH indicate values that are alkaline in nature (surface range 7.2-9.4 subsurface 6.2-8.5). TDS decrease from surface to subsurface (range 143-640, 187-584).EC increase slightly from surface to subsurface (surface range 164-919, subsurface 184-915). Anions result shows chloride have higher concentration at surface (surface range 100-380, subsurface 96-360) while sulphate also have higher concentration on surface than subsurface (surface range 192-270, subsurface 178-225). Cation results shows sodium ion concentration on the surface increase to subsurface (surface range 250-2600, subsurface 265-2705). Potassium concentration also increase on the surface to the subsurface (surface range 172-243, subsurface 186-253) while magnesium ion also increases from surface to subsurface (surface range 3.0-4.4, subsurface 3.7-4.8) and calcium ion shows normal range from surface to subsurface (surface range 10000-12000, subsurface 10000-130000). The heavy metals concentration in the dumpsites soil shows higher values (Ba, Ce, La, Rb, Cr, Th and Fe) in both surface and subsurface above normal soil.