Viability of ‘Dilute and Attenuate’ Landfill as a Final Disposal Method for Solid Waste in Nigeria

Abstract

The predominant disposal method of solid waste management in the world is landfilling while that of Nigeria remains open dumping and open burning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the viability of ‘Dilute and Attenuate’ landfill as a final disposal method for solid waste in Nigeria. A ‘dilute and attenuate’ landfill was evaluated by assessing groundwater and landfill gas. Water samples for laboratory tests were collected upstream and downstream of the landfill site. Laboratory tests are pH, Conductivity, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), volatile suspended solids, ammonia and heavy metals. The landfill gas was assessed onsite from seven (7) gas sampling points across the landfill site using an infrared gas analyser. The presence of methane and carbon dioxide at all the gas sampling points except Cell D shows that the landfill has not reached full stabilization and therefore, has a mild potential to contaminate the surrounding. There is no significant difference between the values of pH, conductivity, COD, BOD and Ammonia of groundwater in the wells upstream and downstream of the landfill site the values generally within acceptable limits for potable water.

Keywords: ‘Dilute and Attenuate’ Landfill, Nigeria, final disposal, solid waste, contained landfill

DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-10-07

Publication date: November 30^th 2019