Effects of Solid Waste Disposal on the Receiving Soil Quality in Benin Metropolis, Nigeria

The present study investigated the impact of solid waste disposal on the receiving soil quality of four major dump-sites and a control site in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria by collecting samples at three distances from the dump-sites of 0 – 50 m, 50 – 100 m, > 100 m at 0 – 30 cm depth. The investigation spanned from July 2011 to December 2011. Results obtained during these months were pooled together to obtain single mean for each sampling station or distance. Results showed that pH values ranged between 5.23 and 5.83, recording slight variations from one site to the other, with no significant differences (P> 0.05) across the study stations and distances. Electrical conductivity concentrations ranged from 562.00 - 982.33μS/cm, with the highest concentrations recorded at 0 - 50m, whereas concentrations were lowest beyond 100 m. Significant increased concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni and V) were reported when compared with the control. The bacterial count (F= 7.527, df = 3) and fungal count (F=5.749, df = 3) of soil sample did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05) between the test stations and the control station respectively, although the mean ranks were highest in the control station.