Environmental Impact of Scrap Metal Dumpsites on Vegetation, Soil and Groundwater in Yenagoa Metropolis, Nigeria

The environment is an intrinsic resource that sustains man and all living organisms for growth, and survival. As such the protection of the environment against adverse impacts must be sustained. This study assessed the impacts of scrap metal dumping on soil, water and vegetation in Yenagoa metropolis. Soil, groundwater and vegetation samples were randomly collected from scrap metal dumpsites in Yenagoa Metropolis. The samples were similarly analyzed for Heavy metals using standard analytical methods. Results of soil quality for surface (0-15cm) and subsoil (15-30cm) were 12.27 – 74.27 and 6.21 – 52.13 mg/kg respectively (iron), 7.24 – 35.73 and 11.41 – 33.57 mg/kg (copper), 14.23 – 47.17 and 12.11 – 36.22 mg/kg (manganese), 11.07 – 49.38 and 17.42 – 35.72 mg/kg (zinc), 24.43 – 47.67 and 17.11 – 32.38 mg/kg (aluminum), 11.48 – 35.77 and 9.53 – 31.22 mg/kg for Nickel. For water quality, the pH ranged from 4.62 – 6.33. While the level of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, aluminum and nickel ranged from 3.27 – 9.73, 0.0152 – 0.071, 0.0023 – 0.0023, 0.0022 – 0.523, 0.0023 -0.0023 and 0.005 – 0.005 mg/l respectively. On the other hand, concentrations of manganese, aluminum and nickel recorded were below detection limit. For vegetation, Iron, copper and zinc ranged from 0.338 – 3.027 mg/kg, 0.0152 – 0.1071 mg/kg and 0.0023 – 0.223 mg/kg respectively. While, manganese, aluminum and nickel were not detected. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that scrap metal dumping in Yenagoa metropolis should be subjected to periodic monitoring.