Assessment of the physicochemical parameters and heavy metals toxicity of leachates from municipal solid waste open dumpsite

Heavy metals and physicochemical characteristics of the different sites of the municipal solid waste dumpsite at Olusosun Landfill, Lagos, Nigeria, were investigated. The dormant site of the landfill has the potential of being a source of immediate environmental risk compared to the active and abandoned site, with the active site exhibiting tendency to be a likely source of Pb, Cd and Zn pollution. Zn was the most abundant metal in the area (0.264–0.947 mg/L) while Cd concentration was the lowest (0.001–0.022 mg/L). Pb, Cd, Zn were from anthropogenic sources and correlated significantly with chemical oxygen demand and oil and grease. Cu and Cr were more abundant in the dormant site and are attached to the solids as indicated by their significant correlation with TS and SS. The physicochemical characteristic of the leachate from the landfill indicate that they were more alkaline in nature, with TA range of 2354 to 7946 mg/L while the chemical oxygen demand values was also high 518.14 to 725.01 mg/L. The comparative analysis of the dormant site with other dormant site reveal a moderate concentration of the parameters measured but could contaminate the neighboring groundwater if not checked.