DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i04.010

Pages: 320-324

The extent of some heavy metals concentration in an open dump along Yenagoa – Tombia road has been examined, in order to understand the levels, distribution and fate of the surrounding susceptible environment. A total of 27 samples were collected at different depths (0-5cm, 5-10cm and 10-15cm) from 3 different locations on the dumpsite, also 3 samples were collected for comparison from three control stations. The samples were digested, filtered and the filtrate was analyzed for heavy metals using a GBC Avanta PM. Ver 2.02 AAS. The mean concentrations (mg/kg) for the three metals in soils of the dumpsite samples were: 0.47-14.33(5.17±5.04)Pb, 0.19-1.84(1.03±0.16)Ni and 0.09-1.10(0.22±0.08)Cd respectively. To contextualize the degree of anthropogenic contribution to the total heavy metal pollution comparison with studies from other environment, single contamination indices and ecotoxicological sense of heavy metal contamination was employed. The results of this study were found to be within permissible levels recommended and does not pose a threat to anyone and particularly the surrounding susceptible environment.