Identification of heavy metals source within selected active dumpsites in southeastern Nigeria

Discriminating contaminant sources is crucial for pollution control. The study aimed at identifying the source(s) of heavy metals in active dumpsite soils from selected areas in Southeastern Nigeria using statistical tools. The dumpsites were Enyimba dumpsite Aba (dumpsite-1), Okpuno-Egbu dumpsite Nnewi (dumpsite-2), Rice mill dumpsite Abakaliki (dumpsite-3) and Nekede dumpsite Owerri (dumpsite-4) in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Imo State respectively. After standard sampling, elemental analysis was carried out using an energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer; Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) were quantified and results showed they were present in high concentrations above control and standard values set by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) / World Health Organization (WHO). Metals investigated exhibited variable correlations among themselves suggesting potential multi-element contamination, while soil organic matter (OM) and pH displayed both significant positive and negative influence on the metal availability in the studied soils. Test of significance of the observed correlation were positive and significant (r > 0.9 at p < 0.05/0.01) for Cr/Co, Cr/Fe, Mn/Co, Co/Fe, Cu/Zn, Zn/Pb, Cu/As, Cu/Pb, Zn/As, As/Pb in dumpsite-1; in dumpsite-2, only Ni/Cu; in dumpsite-3, Fe/OM and Cd/OM while in dumpsite-4,Co/Fe, Cu/As, Cu/Pb, Zn/Cd, Ni/OM, and As/Pb. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two to three components/groups based on square Euclidean distance and eigenvalues > 1, confirming sources to be from organic pigments in plastics, scrap metals and incinerated biodegradable wastes. This study concludes that statistical methods can provide a scientific basis for monitoring heavy metals accumulation in dumpsite soils.