Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating the level of physiochemical and heavy metal properties of the soil around the Gousa dump site and the level of conformity of the physiochemical and heavy metals properties in the soil, with the global and national permissible limits. Primary data source was adopted and 14 soil samples were collected in and around the site from 4 different aligned locations at every 200m radius interval from the heap base of the refuse dump. The samples were collected for top and subsoil horizons across the season. All samples were analysed for physiochemical and heavy metal properties.  The results obtained were subjected to the FAO and NESREA limits for soil. The result showed among others a considerable level of heavy metal contamination was recorded in the sampled soils, particularly for Zn (3.1±0.1, 3.3±0.1, 3.3±0, 3.1±0, 3.1±0, 3.1±0, 3.2±0, 3.1±0.1), Cu (0.19±0.0─20.36±0.01 mg/kg and 0.18±0.01─0.31±0.01 mg/kg; dry (0.2±0.01─3.0±0.01 mg/kg and 0.2±0─1.7±1.4 mg/kg) and Fe (4.9±0.01─5.9±0.01 mg/kg and 4.7±0.02─5.5±0.01; 4.9±0─5.9±0 mg/kg to 4.8±0.03─5.7±0.3 mg/kg) against the FAO limits for healthy soil. The soil sample showed statistical variation in the concentration of Zn (0.00<0.05), Cu (0.00<0.05), and Fe (0.0<0.05) against the NESREA limits for both wet and dry seasons, while Cu (0.008<0.05), Fe (0.0<0.05), and Mn (0.0<0.05) showed significant variation with the FAO limit across seasons. The study concluded among others that; the presence of the Gousa dumpsite is contributing to the soil heavy metal pollution such as Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb against the NESREA and FAO limit. The study recommends among others that a contemporary approach to managing and dealing with waste is necessary, it may entails implementing policies for proper treatment. Furthermore, landfill and waste dump site are attributed to compounding environmental pollution, as such, for an urban city like Abuja, a modern waste management facility aside from dumpsites should be established. This is achievable through public-private partnership agreement.

Key Words:  Dry and wet season, Physiochemical parameters, Heavy metal, concentration, Dump site