Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Analysis of Sewage and Leachate Wastewater Collected from the Sewage Tank at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the First Market Municipal Dumpsite, Ifite-Awka, Anambra State
C.A. Okpalaunegbu
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
A.J. Chinweuba *
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
E.N. Ojiako
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
B.O. Uba
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
J.O. Okafoanyali
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Campus, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the level of contamination in sewage wastewater from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, and leachate wastewater from a municipal dumpsite at First Market, Ifite-Awka, Anambra State both located in the South-Eastern region of Nigeria. The investigation aimed to evaluate the physiochemical properties, chemical constituents, and heavy metal concentrations in the samples, and to compare the findings with permissible limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA). Physicochemical analyses were conducted using various parameters, chemical components were identified using Gas Chromatography (GC), and heavy metals were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Results showed that turbidity, colour, chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chloride, and total solids were significantly higher than the permissible limits. The pH values indicated slight acidity in the sewage sample (6.9) and strong acidity in the leachate sample (4.3). Heavy metal analysis for cobalt, lead, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium revealed that their concentrations exceeded the permissible limits (ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/L), indicating potential health risks. GC analysis detected 62 volatile and 26 non-volatile compounds in the sewage sample, and 66 volatile and 16 non-volatile compounds in the leachate. These identified compounds suggest the presence of hazardous organic pollutants. The findings indicate that the wastewater samples do not meet the required environmental standards for safe disposal. Therefore, proper treatment is essential prior to disposal to prevent public health hazards and environmental degradation, particularly in agricultural zones.
Keywords: Wastewater, sewage, leachate, physiochemical, parameters, heavy metal