DETERMINATION OF THE HEAVY-METALS POLLUTION INDEX (HPI) OF GROUNDWATER SYSTEM NEAR SELECTED WASTE DUMPSITES IN PORT HARCOURT

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the heavy-metal pollution index (HPI) of groundwater sample near selected waste dumpsite in Port Harcourt. Two waste dumpsites in Choba and Aluu communities in River state were randomly sampled. Two different boreholes were sampled at different distances of 50m, 100m and 150m away from the dumpsites. Groundwater samples were collected from the boreholes and were taken to laboratory for identification of presence and concentration of the heavy metals. The results of the analysis revealed that; eight different heavy metals were discovered in the water samples around the dumpsites, and they include Copper, Mercury, Lead, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium, Iron and Zinc, the concentrations of these heavy metals were within the accepted standards for all the water sampled in Choba while that of Aluu were also within accepted standards except for Lead which is slightly higher than accepted standard at 50m and 100m away from the waste dumpsite, Heavy-metal Pollution Index (HPI) for water samples obtained at distances of 50, 100, and 150 meters away from the waste dumpsite in Aluu indicated that they were good for drinking while the HPI for water sampled from Choba showed that the water samples from 50m and 100m were good for drinking while the water sample from 150m was very good for drinking. It was concluded, among others, that, the concentration of heavy metal and heavy-metal pollution index of the groundwater around waste dumpsites depends on distance of the groundwater sample from the waste dumpsite. Therefore, it was recommended, among others, that regular and robust test should be carried out on boreholes of people living close to waste dumpsites in order to check for level of contamination and take necessary actions if the water is contaminated