EFFECT OF OPEN DUMPS ON SOME ENGINEERING AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL By: UKPONG, E. C. & AGUNWAMBA, J. C.

ABSTRACT

Solid  waste  open  dumps  are  sited  indiscriminately  in  Nigeria  and  are  always  potential hazards to health and sources of groundwater pollution.   The study investigates the effects of three open dumps on some engineering and chemical soil properties, with soils of  similar  layering  located  about  40  meters  away  from  the  dump  used  as  control.  No regular  trend  was  established  on  the  distribution  of  the  parameters  along  the  soil strata.   In  order  to  determine  whether  there  are  significant  differences  between  the characteristics at different dumps and control soil layers, a statistical test of hypothesis was carried out.   The values of the specific gravity, plasticity index, maximum density, permeability, iron, lead and zinc were higher in the soil under the dumps than in the control.   The values of the liquid limits and the optimum moisture content were lower in the soil under the dump sites.   The results indicate the needs for proper site investigation before solid waste dumps are selected.