Self Potential Investigation of Contaminants in a Dumpsite, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Self potential method was used to investigate the subsurface in a dumpsite and a neutral environment in Abuja campus, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The self potential values ranges from -7.0 to 2.5 milliVolts within the dumpsite and 0. 1 to 9.5 miliVolts in the neutral site. The dumpsite is dominated with negative values which is attributed to electrochemical and electrokinetic processes. The electrochemical process is due to biodegradation of solid waste material which results in generation of leachate that modified the groundwater. The electrokinetic component is due to ground water flow. Positive values in the control site is due to low grasses and sand lithology. Possible direction of groundwater flow in the dumpsite is towards the stream in southwest while flow in the neutral area is toward the centre. Comparison of the two results showed that biodegradation of solid waste in the dumpsite modified the subsurface properties.

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WSN 57 (2016) 98-106