Levels of Heavy Metals, Phthalates and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil and Groundwater within Vicinity of E-waste Recycling/Dumpsites in Ibadan City

Migration of leachates from e-waste dumpsites could lead to contamination of soil and groundwater in the vicinity surrounding the dumpsites. This article discusses the level of e-waste contaminants (heavy metals, phthalates and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons) in soil and groundwater within the vicinity of two major e-waste dumpsites in Ibadan, Nigeria. Dumpsites (Oke – Padre and Iwo road) were purposely selected. Heavy metals, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalates were analysed in soils collected at depth 0-15cm and groundwater collected 50m away from e-waste dumpsites. Control samples were obtained where e-waste is not being dumped. Analyses were conducted using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer, Gas chromatograph Flame Ionization Detector, and High Performance Liquid Chromatograph. Recovery studies were carried out on selected samples. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Concentration of heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Nickel, Copper, Chromium, and Zinc) in soil were 2286.83mg/Kg, 6.18mg/Kg, 208.93mg/kg, 4870mg/Kg, 3.07mg/Kg, 139.43mg/Kg (Oke-Padre) and 2607.75mg/Kg, 5.17mg/Kg, 33.24mg/Kg, 3243.81mg/Kg, 21.78mg/Kg, 162.51mg/Kg (Iwo road) respectively were above USEPA and WHO limits. Other metals except Lead (5.28mg/L for Oke-Padre and 1.12mg/L for Iwo Road) were below detection limits in water samples. Lead concentration exceeded USEPA permissible limits (0.003mg/L). All soil samples in both locations were contaminated with Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons with concentration ranging from 0.097mg/Kg-2.420mg/Kg. Only Oke Padre water sample had fluorene concentration of 0.004mg/L, while none was present in Iwo-road water sample. Concentration of phthalates in soil ranged from 96.36µg/g-660.99µg/g and in water 3.87µg/ml 61.36µg/ml. Samples from both locations revealed phthalates contamination. These experimental results suggested that soil and water in both locations were heavily polluted with these contaminants.