Environmental Impact of Heavy Metals in Soils from Electronic Waste Dumpsite in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

The massive influx of electronics into Nigeria has led to environmental challenges due to increase in the production of electronic waste, which causes serious health and pollution problems. This study investigated the level and impact of heavy metals in 30 soil samples from an electronic waste disposal site in southwest Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods. The range concentrations of the heavy metals were 1615 mg/kg Pb, 20 mg/kg Cr, 266.32 mg/kg Ni, 22.39 mg/kg Cd and 242.03 mg/kg Cu at depth 0-15cm while 1453.56 mg/kg Pb, 26.31 mg/kg Cr, 497.11 mg/kg Ni, 17.04 mg/kg Cd and 230.31 mg/kg Cu were observed at depth 15-30 cm. The concentrations of the heavy metals exceeded the allowable limits, except for Cr. The mean degree of contaminations, 18.15 and 14.35, were observed at depths 0-15 and 15-30 cm respectively and indicated considerable and moderate degree of contamination by the heavy metals, respectively. The mean Potential index of 323.52 and 225.79 at depth 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm showed sever toxicity and moderate toxicity, respectively. The I-geo. of Pb at both depths indicated extreme contamination. This study reveals sever potential environmental and health hazards in the neighborhood, ecosystem, and community, and advises that the government should establish a national policy on e-waste and regulate testing of all electronics imported under the names of reuse, donation and recycling, which will halt the importation of e-scraps (e-waste).