The Physical Properties of Soils within Major Dumpsites in Abakaliki Urban, Southeastern Nigeria, and Their Implications to Groundwater Contamination

摘要

Physical properties of soil such as bulk density, total porosity, gravimetric moisture content, hydraulic conductivity and soil texture can determine its suitability for the purpose of waste disposal. In this work, physical properties of soil that play a role in effluent transportation down ground water was studied. These properties included the bulk density, total porosity, gravimetric moisture content, hydraulic conductivity and soil texture. Three (3) samples were collected from each site at a soil depth of about 0-60 cm using a core sampler attached to a soil auger. Summary of the results from the four Dumpsites shows that they all have sandy texture, high total porosity (Water works 53. 1%, New layout 58.3%, Rice mill site 60.4%, and Iyiokwu 54.2%), high hydraulic conductivity (63.2 cm/hr for Water Works, 125.3 cm/hr for New layout, 47.8 cm/hr for Rice mill and 59.4 cm/hr for lyiokwu), high bulk density (1.24 g/cm~(3) for Water Works, 1.11 g/cm~(3) for New layout, 1.05 g/cm~(3 )for Rice mill and 1.21 for Iyiokwu), high affinity for moisture due to their general low moisture content (33.9% for water works, 42.3% for new layout, 38.1% for Rice mill site and 30.6% for Iyiokwu). Hence, all are susceptible to infiltration. However, the higher clay contents (~(307)/_(1000) for Water Works, ~(190)/_(1000) for New layout, ~(240)/_(1000) for Rice mill site and ~(163)/_(1000) for Iyiokwu) and higher Bulk Densities of the water works and Iyiokwu Dumpsites will cause the sites to have minimal infiltration rate. While the Water Works and the Iyiokwu dumpsites could be retained on the grounds of clay content and bulk density, it is recommended that the New layout and Rice mill dumpsites be relocated to a better site to prevent potential threats to groundwater.