Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals at five dumpsites (1 – 5) in Umuahia, Nigeria was carried out.Soilsamples were collected at distances of 0, 5 and 10 m from each dumpsite and from a control site. Samples ofwater leaf and African Spinach leaf were also collectedand analysed for heavy metal ions.Soil physicochemical parameters were determined using official and recommendedmethods while heavy metal ion concentrations were determined usingAtomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results obtained indicatedthat the texture of soil samples were predominantly sandy loam while pH values ranged from 6.21±0.37 to 7.70±0.29. Organic matter content ranged from 1.65±0.52 to 4.15±0.36 % while electrical conductivity had a range of 98.47±7.25 – 201.57±15.86 ?S/cm across the dumpsites. Meanconcentrations of heavy metal ions insoils fromthe dumpsites were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than thosefromthe control site. Average metal pollution indices showed that soils in thedumpsites areunpolluted except cadmium in Dumpsites 4 and 5. Degree of contamination values showed low degrees of contamination but enrichment factors for Pb, Cd and Cr in some Dumpsites indicated significant enrichments. All dumpsites had geo-accumulation indices less than 1.00 indicating unpollutedsoilexcept Pb and Cr in some Dumpsites which showed moderate pollution. Ecological risk and potential ecological risk indices indicated low ecological risk. Mean concentrations of cadmium ions in the two vegetables from the dumpsites exceeded the Codex maximum limits for Cd in leafy vegetables.Although severe pollution is not pronounced for soils within the study dumpsites, it is recommended that measures should be engaged to control waste disposal in these dumpsites since heavy metals can bioaccumulate and increase in concentration to severe the environmental quality of the dumpsites in the near future. Key Words: Dumpsite, metals, soil, vegetables, ecological, risk *Jude C. Nnaji Department Of Chemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria Email: judennaji30@gmail.comOrcid Id: 0000-0002-5569-4818E. C. Chukwu Department Of Chemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria Email: manniechiedozie@gmail.comOrcid Id: 0000-0003-3887-18751.0 IntroductionThe major sources of heavy metals in the environment include increased urbanization, disposal of untreated waste, mining, smelting, burning of fossil fuels and waste disposal (Akter et al., 2019). Heavy metalscan be leached into the environment when contaminated waste is not disposed properly. As urbanization increases and human population grows, there is need to manage waste produced from human activities and this has led to the creation of dumpsites. In most dumpsites, indiscriminate and uncontrolled wastes are disposedin such a way and manner that the environment is not protected from the detrimental effect thatcould be provoked bythese activities (Waste Atlas 2014). Solid waste management is a major environmental challenge in Nigeria since most cities lack standard engineered landfills (Chinedu et al., 2018). Open landfills are the primary means of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in mostcountriesin the world, including Nigeria becausethe practicesoffer low economic cost, relative convenience, less technological involvementand have capacity to accumulate large amounts of solid waste compared to other methods such as incineration. The absence of proper engineered landfills for disposal of wastes in Umuahia, Abia State has given rise to the proliferation of open dumps that are scattered within the municipality.These practices can generate unhealthy environmental impacts. For example, leachate

Author Name: Jude C. Nnaji , E. C. Chukwu

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Keywords: Dumpsite, metals, soil, vegetables, ecological, risk *Jude C. Nnaji Department Of Chemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria Email: judennaji30@gmail.comOrcid Id: 0000-0002-5569-4818E. C. Chukwu Department Of Chemistry Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria Email: manniechiedozie@gmail.comOrcid Id: 0000-0003-3887-18751.0 IntroductionThe major sources of heavy metals in the environment include increased urbanization, disposal of untreated waste, mining, smelting, burning of fossil fuels and waste disposal (Akter et al., 2019). Heavy metalscan be leached into the environment when contaminated waste is not disposed properly. As urbanization increases and human population grows, there is need to manage waste produced from human activities and this has led to the creation of dumpsites. In most dumpsites, indiscriminate and uncontrolled wastes are disposedin such a way and manner that the environment is not protected from the detrimental effect thatcould be provoked bythese activities (Waste Atlas 2014). Solid waste management is a major environmental challenge in Nigeria since most cities lack standard engineered landfills (Chinedu et al., 2018). Open landfills are the primary means of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal in mostcountriesin the world, including Nigeria becausethe practicesoffer low economic cost, relative convenience, less technological involvementand have capacity to accumulate large amounts of solid waste compared to other methods such as incineration. The absence of proper engineered landfills for disposal of wastes in Umuahia, Abia State has given rise to the proliferation of open dumps that are scattered within the municipality.These practices can generate unhealthy environmental impacts. For example, leachate

ISSN: 2645-2448

EISSN: 2705-2397

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