ABSTRACT
This study assessed the impact of open dumpsites on the quality of groundwater within the vicinity of solid waste dumpsites in Maiduguri. The problem of rapid urbanization and poor waste management has resulted in an increased of hand dug wells with some located within the premises of an open dumpsites. The mean percentage composition of solid waste at the two dump sites were earth/garbage (26%), metal (21%), glass (20%), plastic (19%), polythene (13%), textile (7%), battery (5%) and paper (3%). Soil sampling was conducted using soil auger for dry and wet seasons. Total of 34 soil samples and 4 water samples were collected and analysed for physico-chemical characteristics; turbidity, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, nitrate (NO3), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), zinc (Zn) iron (Fe), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and manganese (Mn). Particles size analysis was carried out using Bonyoucos hydrometer method and the texture determined on the USDA triangle. The soil pH and electrical conductivity was measured using Turbo pH/mV/temp. and EC meter and the soil BOD was determined using Winkler method from the soil filtrate. Potassium chloride (KCl) extraction method was used to determine the soil nitrate (NO3).