BIOPHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL QUALITIES OF LEACHATES FROM SOLID-WASTE DUMPSITES IN BENIN CITY

The microbial, physico-chemical and toxicological qualities of leachates obtained from dumpsites/ landfills in Benin City Edo State were studied. Five dumpsites namely Uzebu,, Iguomo, Oluku, Ugbowo and Ikhueiro were chosen for the study. The study also involved the microbial and physico- chemical examination of water samples from rivers (Ogba and Okhuahe) which are in close proximity to the dumpsites. Collection of raw and simulated leachate samples was carried out within the period of May- August, 2009. Raw leachates samples were collected at depth of 6 and 12 inches respectively. Five bacteria genera were isolated from the leachates and characterized as Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella aerogenes, Serratia marcescens and Alcaligens spp. The major fungal genera isolated from leactates were species of Aspergillus, Rhizopus and yeast. Bacterial counts were higher than fungal counts in all the leachate samples. Equally microbial counts were higher in raw leach ate samples ( 6 inches depth) than simulated leachates samples. However, microbial load was found to decrease with depth. Seven microbial genera were isolated from river waters samples and characterized as species of Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, Rhizopus, Penicillium, Mucor and yeast. Lechates exhibited a toxic effect which appeared bacteriostatic on the test bacteria, however S. aureus was more resistant than E coli. In the case of earthworm, all worms died within 48 hours of the experiment.

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