Multivariate and Statistical Assessment of Solid Wastes Contamination from Waste Dump Sites on Soil and Perched Aquifers in a Rapidly Developing City. Issue 3 (14th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mama, Cordelia Nnennaya; Igwe, Ogbonnaya; Ezugwu, Chimankpam Kenneth; Ugwuoke, Ikechukwu John
• Is Part Of: Environmental forensics. Volume 23:Issue 3/4(2022)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 432
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14
• Subjects: Multivariate -- statistical assessment -- solid wastes -- soil -- perched aquifer; Environmental forensics -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Periodicals; Enquêtes environnementales -- Périodiques; 363.25945
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2021.1907817
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-5922

Abstract

Abstract: The effect of waste dumps on groundwater quality on perched aquifers in Nsukka and environs was investigated by applying multivariate statistical analyses using Statgraphics Centurion XVII, ArcGIS 10.2.2 and Surfer 10 software on hydrochemical parameters from soil (0 cm and 15 cm depth) and groundwater media. Factor analysis, correlation, principal component analysis and cluster analysis reflect biodegradable domestic solid contaminants, automobile contaminants and construction or building contaminants. The significant or positive correlation between parameters was taken at value equal to or greater than 0.5. Chromium showed positive or significant correlation with copper (0.98), cadmium (0.91), nitrate (0.87) and potassium (0.82) indicating that they are from the same source. Zinc showed positive correlation with manganese (0.89) and pH (0.70) showing similar source. The first cluster showed chromium, copper, cadmium, nitrate, potassium and iron which could be attributed to market and domestic biodegradable wastes. The second cluster showed parameter association for lead, EC and mercury which could be attributed to automobile wastes. The third cluster showed zinc, manganese and pH which could be attributed to construction and building wastes. This showed that the third cluster is the major contributor to the soil pH. Based on the Normality Tests (Shapiro-Wilk significance test) to determine P-Value of the analyzed parameters, in the study area; there was no significant spatial variation (@p > 0.05) in the values of parameters such as chromium, iron, pH in the impact zone and the control area. Conversely, the other parameters were statistically significant. For the groundwater analysis, the dendrogram extracted three clusters highlighting the parameter associations according to their possible sources of occurrence. The first cluster showed potassium, sodium, DOI, manganese, and bicarbonate, which could be attributed to construction and building wastes. The second cluster showed parameter association for sulfate, nitrate, calcium and chloride; which could be domestic biodegradable solid waste. The third cluster showed pH, EC, TDS, Cu +, Pb 2+, Hg +, Fe 2+, Cr 2+ and Cd 2+ which could be attributed to automobile wastes.