Geophysics Techniques in the Appraisal of the Integrity of Dumpsite and Groundwater Contamination

Abstract

This paper attempted to bring to light the hazards associated with the indiscriminate dumping of refuse in towns and cities and the concomitant pollution of groundwater which accounts for over 70% of the domestic use of water. The paper took a critical look at the menace of groundwater contamination resulting from the linkage of leachate from dumpsites and other sources among which are Kaduna, Lokoja, Lagos and China (Carpentel,Ding, and Cheng,2012; Abdullahi,Osazuwa And Sule, 2011; Abdul- Salam, Ibrahim, and Fatoyinbo, 2011; Longe, and Balogun, 2010). The paper recommends among other things that government, its agencies and the general public should employ the services of geophysicists and waste management agencies/experts before establishing a dumpsites/landfills and put in place appropriate monitoring/supervision systems. Finally, the paper concludes by suggesting the use of Geo-electrical survey other than Seismic refraction, magnetic, chemical and microbial as a very convenient method of detecting groundwater contamination without uttering the physical and other properties of the Dumpsites.