Abstract

Study on the effect of leaching on heavy metals concentration at dumpsites was conducted by analyzing samples of soil collected from different dumpsites located within Ikere and Ado Ekiti metropolis, South Western Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Sn and Zn. Control soil samples were taken at 200 m away from the last sampling point on each dump site down the slope and were also analyzed for the presence of these heavy metals. The results of the analyses show a significant difference in the concentration of these metals from the centre of each dumpsite at interval of 10 – 70 m down the slope (p < 0.05). The dumpsites were found to contain significant amount of toxic heavy metals. Hence, phytoremediation processes were suggested.

Key words: Leaching, heavy metals, soil, dumpsites