Some Physicochemical Characteristics of Soils Obtained From an Abandoned Dumpsite Located In Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Some physicochemical characteristics of soils used as an abandoned dumpsite in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria were collected and after due laboratory pretreatments were evaluated and analyzed using standard conventional methods of analysis to ascertain their level in the studied environment and degree of occurrence. The investigation was carried out between the months of January to May, 2024. The results recorded within the months under investigation revealed that the mean value range of pH was between 6.19±0.14 to 6.78±0.03, mean value range of electrical conductivity was between 34003.14±250.17 to 43395.44±925.50 µS/cm, mean value range of chlorides was between 76±0.71 to 831.12±22.21 mg/Kg and mean value range of salinity was between 1224.97±49.95 to 2303.32±83.16 mg/Kg. For particle size analysis, the results obtained showed that percentage sand was in the mean range of 84.63±0.37 to 88.84±0.54%, percentage clay was in the mean range of 3.66±0.22 to 4.98±0.11% and percentage silt was in the mean range of 7.23±0.02 to 10.39±0.46%. The textural class within the abandoned dumpsite was sandy silt in all the designated points used for the work. Observation from the pattern and levels of occurrence of the physicochemical parameters studied in the abandoned dumpsite site revealed that their values were still within acceptable limits for agricultural soils but there should be complete evacuation of the abandoned dumpsite in order to avert any probable effect on the soil quality and structure and on humans that make use of the soil.