Heavy metal pollution of water in waste disposal sites in Port- Harcourt environment

Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn and Mn) pollution of water in two waste disposal sites in Port Harcourt and its environs in Nigeria were examined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The two sites were Abattoir Dump site (ADS) at Rumuokoro and Rison Palm Dump site (RDS) at Ubima. The results showed that concentrations of lead (<0.01mg/1)was below the World Health Organization (WHO 1983) recommended standard (0.05mg/l) for portable water. Similarly, zinc has lower concentrations in both sites,( 1.98mg/l and 0. 17mg/l). These figures were lower than WHO recommended standard (5.00mg/1). However, significantly increased concentrations were recorded for Cd, Fe and Mn in the two sites examined. Cadmium concentrations in both ADS and RDS (<0.01mg/1) were -higher than WHO recommended standard (0.005mg/1). Iron concentration was ADS (0.75mg/1) and RDS (4.89mg/1) as against WHO (0.10mg/1). Manganese was also found to have higher concentrations in both sites (ADS 0.73mg/1) and RDS 1.10mg/1) than WHO standard (0.05mg/1) for portable water. The high concentrations (mg/l) of Fe, Zn, Cd and Mn in the two studied sites indicates that water in these areas may be polluted by these heavy metals and could be toxic for agricultureKey words: Waste disposal site, Pollution, Heavy metals, Concentrations, Portable water, Toxic, Agriculture, WHO Standard, Port Harcourt Environment