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.