CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
This chapter introduces what solid waste is all about including its
quality and effects on underground water. Solid waste commonly
known as trashes or garbage are wastes consisting of every of
day items we consume and discard.
It predominantly includes food waste, yard wastes, containers,
product packaging and over miscellaneous inorganic waste from
residential, commercial, institutional and industrial resources.
Underground water is the water found from beneath soil
underground. Underground water occurs as a result of rainfall
entering the soil surface. It may also occur as a result of
percolation from the surface into the soil. When rain falls to the
ground, the water does not stop, some flow along the surface to
the stream or lakes, while some are used by plants, some
evaporates and return to the atmosphere, while some sink into
1
the ground.when pouring a glass of water into a pile of sand, it is
obvious that the water will move space between particles of sand.
Scientifically, groundwater is found in the cracks and spaces in
the soil, sand and rocks.
It moves slowly through layers of soil, sand and rock called
aquifers typically consist of gravel, sand, stone or fractured rock,
like limestone. These particles are permeable because the large
connected space that allow water to flow through the speed at
which groundwater flows depends on the size of the spaces in the
soil or rock and how well the spaces are connected. The area
where water fall aquifer is called the saturated zone (or
saturation zone). The top of the zone is called the water table.
The water table may be leaked either a meter below the ground
surface or it consist of thirty metre down. Groundwater can be
found almost everywhere. The table water may be deep or
swallow and may rise or fall depending on many factors. Heavy
rains or melting snow can cause the water table to rise or heavy
fumbling groundwater supplies may cause the water table to fall.
2
Water in aquifers is brought to the surface naturally through
spring can or be discharged into lakes or streams. Groundwater
can also be extracted well drive into aquifers. A well is a pipe in
the ground that fuse with groundwater. The water can be brought
to the surface by a pump. Some wells call artesian wells, do not
need a pump because of natural pressure that forces water up
and out of the well. Groundwater supply are replenished or
recharged by rain and snow melt. In some areas of the world,
people face serious shortages of water because groundwater is
used faster than it is naturally replenished or recharged. If
ground becomes polluted it will not be safe to drink. Ground
water is used for drinking water by more than 50% of the people.
In the united states including almost everyone who lives in rural
areas. It is important for all of us to learn how to protect our
groundwater because of it’s important as a source of water for
drinking and irrigation. In other areas groundwater is polluted by
human activities in area where material above the aquifer is
permeable pollutant can be easily sink into the groundwater.
Groundwater can be polluted by landfills, septic tanks, leaking
3
underground gas tank and from over use of residual single and
multi-dwellings, food wastes, wood, papers cardboard, textile
leather, yard wastes, glass metals, ashes spell waste (bulky,
items, tyres) and household are hazardous wastes.
Industrial light and heavy manufacturing, fabrications power and
chemicals and plants, housekeeping waste, packaging, food
wastes, construction and demolition materials ashes are special
waste.
In other words, waste from hotels, resturants, markets, office
building
(paper,
cardboard,
food
plastic,
glass
metals).
Institutional schools, hospitals, prisons, government centres,
heavy and light manufacturing refineries, chemical plant material
extraction, industrial scrape materials, municipal services, street
cleaning, land scraping, parks, bleaching, recreational areas,
water and waste water management plants contribute immensely
to the contamination of groundwater and they are the most
common sources of waste generation. It is noted that solid
wastes have a great effect on the quality of underground water as
4
a result of percolation, infiltration, leachate and disintegration of
waste materials by the action or rainfall into the ground.
1.2 PROBLEM OF THE STUDY
The problem of solid wastes and its effect on the quality of
underground water is now the focus of attention all over the
world.
The problem of waste generation in the country in the
recent past has been quite tremendous necessitating the need for
this project. In fact, the presence of waste scattered all over
cities and towns and even in institutions of higher learning is a
threat to health and embarrassment to the pleasant standard
expected of those areas. The menace of solid waste generation is
most prominent in develop and industrialized countries; this is
because complexity of generated waste is directly proportional to
development
operation
of
in
science
landfilling
and
technology.
material,
Construction
recovering
system
and
and
incineration system has become very costly. It is noteworthy that
the urban populace generates more waste than the rural areas.
5
this is because of the various form of commercial and industrial
activities going on in cities and which has brought an increase in
the volume and diversity of waste generated daily in the country.
These have some great effects on the underground water
consumption (borehole and well). It is therefore believed that in
consumption of underground watersuch as borehole and well
water certain tests needed to be carried out before consumption
in regulation with the principles of World Health organization.
These tests are;
PH test
Total coliform test
Test for nitrate [No 3-N]
Aerobic and sulphate reducing bacteria.
These tests are most important test carried out to know the
physical, chemical and biological effect of solid waste on
underground water before it could be suitable for consumption.
6
In addition, waste is such item which people are required to
discard. It can be defined as unavoidable material resulting from
the activities which has no immediate economic demand and
must be disposed of. Items such as household rubbish, sewage
sludge waste from manufacturing can give to a large variety of
different waste from different sources. Waste are generated every
day in all part of the world (Oluwamde, 1973). This is mainly
made up of waste coming from household, commercial activities
(e.g. shops, restaurants, hospitals) industry (e.g. pharmaceutical
companies,
cloth
manufacturers
etc.)
agriculture
(slurry)
construction and demolition projects, mining and quarrying
activities and from the generation of energy. With such vast
quantities of waste being produced. It is of vital importance that
it is managed in such a way that does not cause any harm to
either human health or the environment.
7
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
1.
To know the physical, chemical and biological effects of solid
wastes on underground water and to dermine the amout of
waste within the study area.
2.
To determine whether the water pollution have dangerous
effect on the people and animals in the area of study or
environment.
1.4 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
1.
To
prevent
all
individuals,
relevant
organizations,
researchers from drinking underground water that is very
close to dumping areas in order to avoid deadly diseases.
2.
To inform the people on the hazard and result of waste to
their health from drinking underground water especially
those that are very close to dumping areas in order to
prevent untimely death.
3.
To
educate people
on
the
population to health,
8
negative effects
of water
1.5 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study covers the town of Ikirun in Ifeiodun Local Government
in
Osun
State,
South-West
of
Nigeria
with
thirty
local
governments, only one town was explored by the researcher.
Ikirun is centrally located in Osun North-East division of Osun
State with latitude 7 degrees, 50 feet north of Equator and
longitude 4 degrees, 40 feet east of Green w” meridian. It is
bounded on the north by Inisia town in Ado-oti Local Government
Area, on the south by Osogbo, the Osun state capital, to the east
by Iragbiji town in Boripe Local Government and to the west by
Eko Ende town also in Ifelodun Local government.
In these towns, different wells are examined both in dry season
and rainy season especially those that are very close to the
dumping area. The difficulty encountered during the course of
this project was my inability to perform some tests which are
very expensive. This was due to the fact that required initial fund
to carry them out. Example of such tests are aerobic and sulphate
reducing bacteria tests etc.
9
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.
Percolation: this can be defined as the slow passage of
liquid through a filtrating medium. It is also known as the
process of water seepage through the soil.
2.
Leachate: This is any liquid that in passing through matter
extracts, slows, suspends solid or over components of the
material through which it passed.
3.
Infiltration: the process by which water on the ground
surface enters the soil.
4.
Hazardous
substantial
Wastes:
or
these
potential
are
threats
wastes
to
public
that
poses
health
or
environment.
5.
Aquifers: These are underground layers of porous rocks or
sand that allow the movement of water between layers of
non-porous rocks (sand stone, gravel or fractured lime
stones or granule).
10
6.
Waste Prevention: It is the method of eliminating waste at
source and reducing the demand on natural or origin
resources.
7.
Waste Re-use: It is the method of using a waste product
from one process as a raw material to form another.
8.
Waste Recycles: This is the process of breaking down the
waste.
11
CHAPTER TWO
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
After examining some of the literature in this area, it became
readily apparent certain groups or states had conducted and are
still conducting research on waste products. Since early 1950’s,
there has been more activity in the state of California in this
regard than any other states in the United State of America.
One of the first study was an in depth investigation on the
leaching of soluble salts and alkaline from incinerator ash dumps
(state of California 1952). Following this study, the city of
Riverside solid waste dump was used as the site for investigating
of the leaching properties of typical municipal refuse (State of
California1956)
reports.
Conclusion
from
the
carried
out
respectively regarding the effect of solid waste on groundwater
quality are;
1. Solid waste if so located that no portion of it intercepts
groundwater will not cause impairment of the ground water
for either domestic or irrigational uses.
12
2. Solid waste if so located as to be intermittent or continuous
contact with groundwater in the vicinity of the solid waste to
become grossly polluted and unfit for domestic or irrigational
uses.
2.2 DEFINITION OF WASTE
According to U.K’s Environmental Protection Act 1990, waste are
substance which constitute of scraped materials, efficient or other
unwanted surplus arising from application of any process of any
substance or article which requires to be disposed of which has
broken, worn-out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled.
In relation to Waste Management Licensing Regulations of 1994,
waste is any substance which the producer or the person in
possession of it discards or intends or required to discard but with
exception or anything exclude from the scope of waste directive.
13
2.3 SOURCES OF SOLID WASTE
Waste are produced and the sources, the quality and composition
of refuse are determined by the features or the source. These
sources are domestic/residential solid waste.
2.3.1
DOMESTIC RESIDENTIAL SOLID WASTES:
This category includes rejected solid materials that emanated
from
shop
residential
owners
units.
and
It
household
contains
unit
organic
consumption
materials.
It
from
usually
produces a very bad odour.
Rubbish/Trash:
This category consists of paper and product plastic cans, bottles,
glass metals, ceramic dirt, dust and garden waste. They are
mainly non-putrescible.
Ashes:
This type of waste is the residual from any combustion process,
e.g. firewood etc. resulting from household activities.
14
2.3.2
COMMERCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WASTE
They are mainly from banks, office, retail stores, restaurants
schools, hospital etc. apartfrom garbage rubbish and ashes. Other
types of waste which also fall under this category are:
Construction and Demolition Waste:
These includes planks, blocks, concrete, muds, plumbing and
electrical wiring. Some of them depends on the economy or their
use.
Special Waste:
They are usually solid and solid material generated by special
equipment in places like hospitals and research laboratories. They
include explosives, pathogenic materials etc. they are specially
collected and incinerated because of their hazardous nature.
Municipal Solid Waste:
These category includes the solid residue that results from the
municipality function services.
Others include;
15
Street refuse
Dead animals
Abandoned vehicles
2.3.3
Industrial Solid Waste
These are of two categories; commercial and institutional
components and processed solid waste. The separation is due to
the difference in the quality and characteristics of the refuse.
Commercial/Institutional Waste:
Are produced by the office staff, the cafeteria and personnel
related activities.
Process Waste: are the residuals from manufacturing process
due to the fact that no plant is 100% efficient. as a result, there
will be raw materials and products that will form waste.
Agricultural Residue:
They are more prominent in the rural areas majorly because of
the problem they contribute.
16
Crop residue; such as corn, wheat and soybeans are left and they
can serve as manure for soil.
2.4 PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARD OF SOLID WASTE:
A problem frequently overlooked is that of physical and chemical
hazard that can result from certain components for examples;
1. Explosion hazard of solvent gasoline etc.
2. Toxic chemicals used as pesticides solvents etc.
3. Direct
contact
infected
cuts,
abrasions
resulting
from
contacts with broken glasses and sharp objects heavily
contaminated with bacteria.
2.4 WATER POLLUTION FROM SOLID WASTE:
Sanitary landfills are recent technology that has been gaining
ground. In the past, disposal sites were better definedas
dumps although there still exists many dumps all over the
17
country. Little attention was given to the manner in which the
refuse was placed and soil cover was used occasionally.
The population density and the cost of having therefuselong
distances requiring many of this disposal sites to be located
close to the populated areas. In the large urban areas of the
country like USA, the refuse was generally incinerated. In the
smaller communities, the lower population density made it
possible to find land areas relatively close by that could be
used for refuse disposal.
Unfortunately, there was no local pressure that require the
design
and
operation
of
engineered
disposal
sites.
Consequently, most of the refuse were simply dumped at
allocation or sites. No efforts were made to control the access
to water to the site. In fact, it was uncommon to dump refuse
into excavated land or gravel pit that was full of water.
18
2.5 SOURCES OF WATER:
Water is a liquid material that comprises of two different
elements. Hydrogen and oxygen. It is the most important
component in the universe and it is required in all chemical
reactions.
Surface water: this occurs as the result of the precipitation that
is
absorbed
by the
ground or
evaporated back into the
atmosphere. Surface water becomes surface runoff as it flows
into the stream, lakes and wet land reservoir etc.
Groundwater: this results from the precipitation that infiltrates
into the ground and sip downward through fractures, pores and
other spaces in the soils and rocks. According to Matida
Campbell, 2001. Sources of water includes rain water, spring,
river and lakes, surface well, deep or artesian wells and tap
water.
Rainwater: this takes up dusts and gasses from the air and
organic matters from the roofs over which it is collected. The long
19
storing cistern gives bacteria opportunity to grow in large
numbers causing the water to be unsafe for drinking.
Spring water: this water is a source of pure water supply, if is
not contaminated by passing through soil which is polluted.
Rivers and lakes: these are common sources of water supply
but they may be made unfit for drinking. If the surface water and
sewage from towns and cities are allowed to drain into rivers.
Surface well: these are unsafe sources of drinking water supply
and the water should never be used when there are cesspools,
drains, barnyards or any other sources of contamination with a
radius of 60m of them.
Deep Artesian well: these furnish pure water as a rule unless
the piping is well tightly joined. When impure water from a
subsoil stream near the surface may enter the pipes.
Tap water: this is drinking water which comes from an indoor
tap or spigot. It is part of a larger indoor pumping system which
reverse a complex supportive infrastructure including stable
water. Source piping and filtration to keep due water safe .it is
20
the safest source of drinking. The germs present in the water are
being killed through test (e.g. biological, chemical and physical
test), before it is consumed by an individual.
2.6 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF WATER
Water covers more than 70% of the earth surface, scientist
estimate that the atmosphere contains about 1.3 billion cubic
kilometers of this substances, mostly in form of liquid (water)
that occupies the topographic depression on the earth (pid
Wire.M.. 2006) the second most common from the water
molecule on the planets is ice, if all our planet is ice method, sealevel would rise about 70-meter water is also essential for life.
Water is the major constant of almost all life forms most animal
and plant contain more than 60% of water by volume. The
molecular polarity causes water to be a powerful savantand is
responsible for its strong surface tension. Water has a high
specific heat that can be define as the amount of energy required
to change the temperature of a substance. Because water has a
21
highspecific heat. It can absorb large amount of heat energy
before it begins to get hot.
Water conduct heat more easily than any other bodiesliquid
except mercury. this fact causes large bodies of liquid water like
Lakes
and
Oceans
to
have
essentially
a
uniform
vertical
temperature profile.
Water molecules exist in liquid from over an important range of
temperature from 00c to 1000c. this range allows water molecule
to exist as a liquid in most places in our planet. Water is a
universal solvent. It is able to dissolve a large number of different
chemical compounds. This feature also enables water to carry
solvents nutrients in run-off infiltration and underground flow.
Water is adhesive and elastic and tends to aggregate in drops
rather than spread out over surfaces as a thin firm. This
phenomenon also causes water to stick to the sides or vertical
structure despite gravity’s downward pull. Water’s high surfaces
tension allows plant to move (and dissolved nutrient) from their
22
leaves and movement of blood through tiny vessels in the bodies
of some animals.
2.7 EFFECT OF RAIN WATER ON UNDERGROUND WATER
Rainwater is known as the purest form of water. but it is being
contaminated by some particles. In the atmosphere an important
measure of water quality is its PH. The letter (PH)describes the
acid of basic nature of a substance. Scientifically, a liquid PH is a
measure of the concentration of the hydrogen ions (Hi) it
contains. The Danish S.P.L Sorenson Originally proposed the
concept of the PH scale in 1909 as a method to describe the
acidity of beer.
The PH scale ranges from 0 to 14 with a value of 7 indicating a
natural PH (neither acidic nor base) distilled water has a PH of 7
bases or alkaline solutions (i.e. bleach ammonia) have values
greater than 7, acidic solution (i.e. battery acid, lemon and juice.)
each unit change in PH of rain and snow. The principal source of
ground water has PH values near 5.6 if it is relatively free of
23
pollution. However, in many areas of the united State, acid rain is
now the norm pollution because of pollution emission from
sources such as coal fired power plants and car exhaust. Acid rain
can have PH value near 14. These are concerns that acid rain is
having effect on vegetation and aquatic creation. Once on the
ground, it affect ground water PH. PH of groundwater will vary
depending on the composition of rocks and sediments that
surround tower path of the recharge water in filtrating to the
groundwater. Groundwater chemistry varies depending on how
long the existing groundwater is in contact with particular rock.
2.7 COLOUR DETERMINATION
Well water users can sometimes experience odour or staining
problems on appliance and laundry. If the odour is a rotten egg
associated with the well water, it shows that a hydrogen sulphate
and methane should be analyzed. If there is a musty or muddy
odour with well water, an iron bacterium should be analyzed. If
there is a problem with black staining of white laundry, the well
must be checked for magnesium. Then the analysis of the test
24
must be compared against (EPA) or state drinking regulations to
see if any contamination are exceeding recommending level.
2.8 TOTAL
SUSPENDED
SOLID
WASTE
(TSS)/TOTAL
DISSOLVED SOLID WASTE (TDS)
Total dissolved solid waste (TDS) is the portion of solid waste in
water that can pass through a micron filter. The more minerals
dissolved into the water, the higher the total dissolved solid are
generally of inferior portability. In drinking water, a limited of
500mg is desirable.
Total suspended solid (TSS). This is suspended collard particles in
water which will not settle out by gravity. The volume of sludge
produced in a treatment plant is directly related to the total
suspended solid.(TSS) present in the sewage industrial and storm
sewage may contain higher concentration than the domestic
sewage. The extent to which treatment plants removes solids, as
well
as
biology
oxygen
demand
determines
(MLA
STYLE)”suspended solid encyclopedia Britannia 2011 web is June
2011.
25
2.10 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLID WASTE (TDS)
Total dissolved solid waste (TDS) comprises inorganic salts
(principally,
calcium,
magnesium,
potassium,
sodium,
b1,
carbonate, chloride and sulphate) and some small amount s of
organic matters that are dissolved in water.
2.11 DISSOLVED OXYGEN (DO)
Oxygen is more easily dissolved into water with low levels of
dissolved or suspended solid. Water with higher amounts of salts
such as the ocean (which contains 35 grams of salts for each
1000 grams of water) have low concentration of DO, fresh water
lakes, stream and tap water generally contains much less salt, so
DO concentrations are higher. As the amount of salt in anybody
of water increases the amount of dissolve oxygen decreases.
An increase in salt concentration due to evaporation of water
from ecosystem tends to reduce the dissolved oxygen available to
the ecosystem inhabitants. The amount of groundwater entering
a river can influence oxygen levels. Groundwater usually have low
26
concentration of DO. But it is often colder than stream water.
Therefore, groundwater mayat first lower the dissolved oxygen
concentration. But as groundwater cools the stream or river, the
ability of the water to hold oxygen improves. Therefore, water to
be used for domestic water supply should not have dissolve
oxygen below 3 milligrams per litre (Colorado Department of
public Health and Environment Water Quality Control Division, CD
PHE-WQCD).
2.12 SOLID WASTE EFFECTS AND CONTROL ON UNDER
GROUND WATER
Soluble components of solid waste in contact with water change
the groundwater quality or indirectly by infiltration contaminated
surface water. Solid waste pollutes groundwater thereby affect
the hygienic conditions of human beings. According to Noring,
1951, Legrand 1965, the extent of intensely contamination
depends on the following factors.
1. Chemical and physical properties of the waste materials.
27
2. Man’s variable pattern of waste disposal and of accidental
release contaminants in the ground.
3. Duration
and
surface
size
of
contact
between
waste
materials and in the saturated and unsaturated zone of the
ground varying in time.
4. Behaviour of the contaminants in the surface water and the
saturated zone of the ground.
5. Chemical and physical properties of rock environments
varying in space.
6. Influences
of
microorganism
in
the
saturated
and
unsaturated zone varying in time.
7. Quality of water percolating from surface or from other
aquifers of specific character varying in time.
8. Climatic condition varying in time.
9. Hydrological conditions varying in time and space
10.
Man’s variable pattern of water development from
wells.
28
Besides the chemical and physical properties of waste materials,
the position of the water site as to the groundwater table is of
greatest importance for the intensity if contamination. The waste
is leached to the greatest extent when deposited in the ground
water to the least in the case of waste dump above water table.
However, the proper sanitary work must be done before the
consumption of underground water. It is obvious that leachate
infiltration and percolation are the fundamental occurrence of
pollution of underground water. In spite of this, refuse should be
dumped in accordance with Environmental Protection agency’ rule
and regulations.
2.13 TREATMENTS AND MANAGEMENT OF WASTES
Treatment and management of waste including prevention,
minimization, recycling, energy recovery and disposal, managing,
monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to
materials produced by human activity and the process is
generally undertaken to reduce their effect on health, the
environment or the aesthetic. Waste is distinct particles from
29
resources recovery which focuses on delaying the rate of
consumption of natural resources. The management of waste
treats all materials as single class, whether solid, liquid or
radioactive substances tried to reduce the harmful environmental
effect/impact
of
each
through
different
method.
(Hughes
G.M.R.A. London and R.N. Farvolden 1969). Waste management
practices differs from developed and under-developed nations for
urban and rural areas and for residential and industrial producers.
Management for nonhazardous waste, residential and institutional
waste in metropolitan areas is usually the responsibility of local
government
authorities’
management
for
nonhazardous
commercial and industrial waste is usually the responsibility of
the generator(P.F Effer 1992, functional element of solid waste
management
system).
Resource
recovery
is
the
selective
extraction of disposed material for a specific next use such as
recycling, composting of energy generation. The aim of resource
recovery is to extract the maximum practical benefit from
product, delay the consumption of virgin natural resources and to
generate the maximum use of waste by using life cycle analysis
30
(LCA) to offer alternative to landfill disposal of discard materials
(Har 1-,S.A. 1967)have indicated that administration source,
separation andcollection followed re-use and recycling of nonenergy
compost
fertilizer
production
of waste
fraction
via
anaerobic digestion to be favoured alternatives to land fill
disposal.
However, recycling is a source recovery practice that refers to the
collection and re-use of the dispose materials as empty beverages
containers.
The materials from which the items are made can be reprocessed
into new product for recycling may be collected separately from
general waste using dedicated bins and collection vehicles or
sorted directly from mixed waste stream. The most common
consumer’s product recycled include aluminum such as beverages
cans copper such as wire, old steel, polythene etc.
31
CHAPTER THREE
TYPES OF SOLID WASTE AND THEIR EFFECT
3.1 MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Municipal waste also called municipality consist of everyday items
we use and then throw away(dispose) such as product packaging,
grass, clippings, furniture etc. the term municipality solid waste is
generally used to describe most of the non-hazardous solid waste
from a city, town or village that requires routine collection and
transport to a processing or disposal sites. Sources of MSW
includes private homes, commercial activities/establishments and
institutions as well as industrial facilities.
The types and effect that fall under this are;
3.1.1
FOOD WASTE
Food waste such as vegetables and meat materials leftover food,
eggshell etc. also known as wet garbage is the discharging and
potentially usable foods. Both edible and inedible foods may
consider
garbage
and
therefore
32
wasted.
Edible
foods
are
considered inedible and when their quality deteriorate until they
become unhealthy or obnoxious food deterioration occurs from
microbial contamination of from rotting, as a consequence of over
production storage problems or improper preparations. Food
waste also occurs through food use that returns little nutritional
value, like over processing and over consumption.
3.1.3
PLASTIC
Plastic is a material consisting of any of a wide range of synthetic
or semi-synthetic organic compounds that are movable and so
can be molded into solid objects.
Plastic are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass and
often contains other substances. They are usually synthetic most
commonly derived from petrochemicals.
Plastic waste comes about by littering of plastic materials. When
littered rain carries plastic waste (because of its light nature) into
streams and rivers and through drains. Drains leads to oceans.
33
Careless and improper waste disposal is also a big contribution –
illegal dumping of waste adds greatly to the plastic surge in our
seas.
EFFECTS
Plastic pollution from discarded water bathes, polysthene coffee
cups grocery bags, synthetic clothing, fiber and other waste,
break down into tiny bits or plastic. No bigger than the period at
the end of the sentence.
Micro plastics have been detected in water around the world
including our streams, lake and oceans. Plastic also leached into
the water. Degrading the water quality with toxic compounds and
end up harming human and animal health.
3.1.4
Tetra
TETRA PACK
pack
is
the
name
of
the
company
which
created
hygienically, lightweight packaging for liquids. The first became
famous with their tetra-hadron shape packaging which was then
used for milk to replace grass bottles. Tetra pack is a packaging
34
material used in packaging foods, drinks and is easily identified
by the fact that it looks like cardboard packaging but it has a
silver inside lining and certain liquid. It is a terrible waste because
it is composite.
Tetra pack waste is gotten from/when water carries this waste
into streams, rivers or lakes.
EFFECTS
It can expose people to chemical and radioactive hazards. It can
also obstruct storm water runoff, resulting into information of
stagnant water bodies that become the breeding ground for
diseases. It also attracts flies which in turn brings about disease
and sickness thereby bringing rise to health problems.
3.2 HAZARDOUS WASTES
Hazardous wastes are wastes generated from wide range of
activities including manufacturing, forming, water treatment
systems,
construction,
automotive,
garages,
laboratories,
hospitals and other industries. These waste may be liquid, solid,
35
or sludge and contain chemicals, heavy metals radiation and
pathogens
or
other
materials.
Even
households
generate
hazardous waste from items such as batteries used computers
equipment and leftover paints or pesticides.
Hazardous wastes are waste that has substantial or potential
threats to public health or the environment.
Characteristics of hazardous wastes are materials that are known
or tested to exhibit one or more of the following hazardous
threat.
 Ignitability
 Reactivity
 Corrosiveness
 Toxicity
3.2.1
ignitable waste
These are waste that are burn at relatively low temperature (60
0
c) and are capable of spontaneous combustionduring storage,
transport or disposal.
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Examples and effect of these include
1. Gasoline:
Gasoline is a pale brown or pink liquid made from processed
crude oil. It evaporates easily. It is very flammable and can form
explosive mixtures in the air.
Effects
When exposed to water, it contaminates groundwater and the air.
Breathing small amount of gasoline vapour can lead to nose and
throat irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion
and headache.
When water is contaminated with gasoline end it makes physical
contact with the skin, it could lead to rashes, redness and
swelling.
2 Alcohol:
Alcohols (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) is the ingredient found in beer,
wine and spirit that causes drunkenness. Alcohol is found when
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yeast ferments (breaks down without oxygen) the sugar in grapes
beer from the sugar in malted barley (a type of grain).
Alcohol has effect on every organ of the body. When water is
contaminated with alcohol the oxygen level is being reduced.
Effect
The
oxygen
level
of
water
is
reduced
when
water
is
contaminated, water can have serious effect on the health of an
individual.
Diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis or other long term effect
such as certain types of cancer may also result exposure to
polluted water.
3.2.2
REACTIVE WASTE
These are waste that have a tendency to react vigorously with air
and water and are unstable to shock or heat, generate toxic
gases or explode during routine management examples and
effects of reactive waste include
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GUN POWER:
This is black powder (explosives) which consist of a mixture of
saltpeter (potassium nitrates) sulfur and charcoal. When prepared
in roughly the correct proportions (75 percent saltpetre, 15
percent charcoal and 10 percent sulfur).
Effect
It contains potassium nitrate which when in excess interfere with
the ability of the blood to carry oxygen causing headache,
fatigue, dizziness and a blue color to the skin and lips.
(Methemoglobinemia) higher level can cause trouble in breathing,
collapse and even death. Potassium Nitrate may also affect the
kidney and cause anemia.
It also contains Sulphur which when in excess can lead to
diarrhea and dehydration.
The charcoal is made up of also leads to colour in waste whereas
we know what qualifies water is that it has no colour, odour or
taste.
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GLYCERIN
This is a simple polyol compound. It is a colourless, odourless
viscous liquid that is sweet testing and non-toxic.
Effect
When groundwater contain glycerin consumption may cause
headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and excessive thirst in
some individuals.
3.2.3
CORROSIVE WASTE
These are waste that comprises of different chemical and toxic
substance.
These are waste that destroys materials and living tissues by
chemical reactions.
Examples and effect include.
ACID
An acid is a chemical substance usually a liquid which contains
hydrogen and can react with other substance to form salt. Some
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acid burn or dissolved over substance that they came into contact
with.
Acid is a compound having a sour taste and capable of
neutralizing alkalis and reddening blue litmus paper, containing
hydrogen that can be replaced by a metal and or electropositive
group to form a salt, or containing an atom that can accept a pair
of electron from a base.
Effects
When water is contaminated with acid the PH of water can
indirectly affects one’s health. Water with acidic PH can corrode,
plumbing and leach metal iron, manganese, copper, lead and zinc
are commonly found in acidic water. It places adults at risk for
health
problems,
such
as
cancer,
stroke,
kidney
disease,
memorial problem and high blood pressure.
Drinking acidic water exposes one’s body to heavy metals and
minerals presents in the water.
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BASE
Base is a substance that aqueous solution releases hydrogen
(OH.) ions, are slippery to the touch and taste bitter if an alkali
changes the colour of indicators e.g. reacts with acid to form salt,
promote certain chemical reactions, accept protons from any
proton donor etc.
Effects
The phenomenon of acid precipitation detrimentally affects
aquatic ecosystems to a presently unknown degree. Complex
geo-chemical
processes
in
soils
are
important
factors
determining the quality of percolates which infiltrates down to
ground water systems.
Elevated base cation and trace metal concentration in ground
water may result in corrosive or toxic water quality conditions.
Consequent discharge of effected groundwater to surface water
bodies result in detrimental effect to water quality and ambient
aquatic life.
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3.2.4
TOXIC WASTE
Toxic wastes are waste that result from industrial, chemical and
biological processes. Toxins are found in household, office and
commercial wastes.
These are wastes containing dangerous pathogens such as used
syringes. Examples of common products are routinely part of
toxic wastes, streams of industrial countries include batteries for
electronic devices, pesticides and heavy metals etc.
Groundwater are contaminated with uranium and over toxic
chemicals and more than 63.5 million metric tons of radioactive
waste. These waste are poisonous in small or trace amount.
PESTICIDE
Pesticides are substance that is meant to control weeds, pests.
These pesticides include herbicide, insecticides (which may
include insects group regulation termites etc.)
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In general, pesticides are a chemical or biological agent such as
virus, bacterium or fungus that deters, incapacitates, kills or
otherwise discourage pests.
Effect
Poisoning occurs when toxic waste is injected, inhaled or
absorbed by the skin.
The health effect of the pesticide depends on the chemical
characteristic before the 1940’s, most pesticides were compounds
of arsenic, mercury, copper or lead.
Although, these compounds may have made their way into
drinking water, they are not highly soluble and the residue
ingested in food were of far greater concern studies of the health
effect of pesticides on human focus on two aspects, the acute
toxicity or immediate effect resulting from short term exposure
and
the
chronic
toxicity/effects
exposures.
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resulting
from
long
term
When these toxic acids are found in water it leads to kidney
damage or death at higher doses. It is hazardous to human
health and also lead to cancer.
HEAVY METALS
Heavy metals are naturally occurring elements that have a high
atomic weight and a density of at least 5 times greater than that
of water. Their multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical
and technological application have led to their wide distribution in
the environment raising concerns about their potential effect on
human health and environment.
Effect
The biological system heavy metals have been reported to affect
cellular organelles and components such as cell membrane
mitochondrial, lysome, endoplasmic reticulum. It also affects
nuclei and some plasmic reticulum. It also affects nuclei and
some enzymes involved in metabolism and detoxification.
45
Metal ions have been found to interact with call components such
as DNA and nuclear protein causing DNA damage and
conformational changes that may lead to cycle modulation.
3.3 INDUSTRIAL WASTE
Industrial solid waste is defined as waste that is generated by
businesses from an industrial or manufacturing process or waste
generated from non-manufacturing activities that are managed as
a separate waste stream.
Business that utilize manufacturing or industrial processes or that
service
or
commercial
establishment
are
likely
producing
industrial solidwaste. This is a special classification of nonhazardous waste that requires by state law special evaluation to
determine the proper disposal method.
These are waste produced by industrial activities which includes
any materials that is rendered useless during a manufacturing
process such as that of factories industries, mills and mining
operations. Examples and effect of these waste include.
46
GRAVEL
A gravel is a loose aggregation of rock fragment. Gravel is
classified by particle size range and includes size classes from
granule to boulder-size fragments. When gravel is disposed in
groundwater, it affects the quality of the water. The effect is as
follow.
Effects
Pits and quarries disturb the existing movement of water i.e.
surface water and groundwater. They interrupt natural water
discharge and can lead to reduced quantity and quality of ground
water like drinking water for residents i.e. wide life near or
downstream from a quarry site, potential impairment of water
quality on the site including harm to the aquifer. The water
quality of residential wells close by could be harm. The water
level
of
onsite
lakes
could
reduce
detrimentally
affecting
provincially specific wet lands. It could also lead to loss of
habitats
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CHEMICAL/OIL/SOLVENT
When groundwater contains chemicals oil or solvent and it is
being dumped in the stream or carried to the stream by
movement of water. This chemical also causes reproductive
failure in birds and mammals.
It could lead to ingestion (inhalation and skin contact resulting in
Acute or ionic poisoning). These chemicals include lead which can
affect red blood cells by reducing their ability to carry oxygen and
shortening their life span.
3.4 AGRICULTURAL WASTE
These are waste produced as a result of various agricultural
operations. It includes; manure and other waste from farms,
poultry houses and slaughter houses, harvest waste, fertilizers
run off from fields, pesticides that enter into water, air or soils
and salt and silt drained from fields.
48
Examples of these waste includes groundnut shell also known as
hemicellulose A1 has been shown to contain residues of xylose
and D- give conic acid.
Paddy husk
This is also known as the rice husk. It is theouter most layer of
the paddy grain that is separated from the rice grain during the
milling process.
Straw of cereals
Straw is an agricultural bye product consisting of the dry stalks of
cereal plants after the grain and chaff has been removed. It
makes up about half of the yield of cereal crop such as barley,
oats, rice, rye and wheat.
Effect
Agricultural waste may expose workers to harmful biological
material (biohazards). Storing agricultural waste can lead to
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multiply the hazard associated with it since stored waste can
release harm full gases.
Groundnut shell arrests metal ions by forming meta complexes
from the water.
If more C.N ratio like paddy husk or straw husk it may cause
immobilization of nutrients if applied on the field, it effects to
ground occupies a large area if not properly disposed. It
contaminates groundwater by putting aquatic habitat lives at risk.
These little straws are mistaken for food by sea creatures
especially whales and cannot be digested.
It also causes bloating which is related to gas and it has another
side effect that everyone would love to avoid. The same gases
cause farting which makes or causes bloating.
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CHAPTER FOUR
RECOMMENDATIONANDCONCLUSION
4.1 RECOMMENDATION
From the above findings,the following recommendations are
suggested.
1. Appropriate place should be located at the outskirt of the
town for refuse disposal.
2. The water supply around the vicinity should be treated at
least three times in a year.
3. The regulatory agency should employ a geologist on its staff
list. Preferably one trained in the area of hydrology to assist
in solid waste site selection within the states.
4. future effect of a particular solid wastes operation.
5. The regulatory agency should not discourage novel method
of
collecting
and
treating
refuse
leachate
for
certain
installations where proper monitoring can be exercised.
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6. The regulatory agency should encourage the practice of
regional or district approaches to solid wastes collection and
disposal. Economic incentives should be available to provide
funds to make area wide feasibility studies. This approach
will reap great benefits in the control of soil waste disposal
practice.
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4.2 CONCLUSION
The focus of the study was on the impact of solid waste on the
quality of underground water. It is found that with the increase in
the population and the rising demands for food and other
essentials. There is rise in the amount of waste generated daily
by
each
household
and
community
and
these
waste
are
sometimes dumped in water bodies such as streams etc. these
wastes are serious hazards and lead to the spread of infectious
diseases.
The establishment and closure of landfills could pose a potential
hazard to ground water, due to leachate, seepage and air quality
due
to
gases
released.
Unless
proper
maintenance
and
management is sustained for a fairly long time, public health
maybe compromised as a result.
Dumping of solid waste on landfill/underground water could bring
above grave consequences by 20 years’ time or before. Clear and
decisive actions may be taken to avert costly and environmentally
comprising means for disposing of our waste in the future.
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The chapter three of this study shows the different types of solid
waste. What are the alternative for the disposal of these human
waste safely? In order to reduce the amount of solid wastes
generated and dumped in the water bodies. The recycling of
waste should be planned and reinforced. The heterogeneity of the
waste makes it even harder for it to be reused as a raw material.
To improve this, the separation of wastes in its sources and its’
sorting would be the first step in waste management strategy.
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CHAPTER FIVE
REFERENCES
WASTE MANAGEMENT LICENSING REGULATION 1994
UK’S ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION ACT 1990
LEACHING PROPERTIES OF TYPICAL MUNICIPAL REFUSE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA
LEACHING OF SOLUBLE SALTS AND ALKALIES FROM
INCINERATOR ASH DUMPS STATE OF CALIFORNIA (1952)
(MLA STYLE) SUSPENDED SOLID ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA
2011 WEB 13 JUNE 2011
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH ANDENVIRONMENT
WATER QUALITY CONTROL DIVISION, CD PHE – WQCD.
HUGES, G. M. R. A. LONDON AND R.N FARVOIDEN 1969.
Effer, P.F. (1992). FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SOLID WASTES
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
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