Geoelectrical Evaluation of Contamination in and around Ori-Ile Battery Wastes Dumpsite in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria

Geoelectrical surveys involving vertical electrical sounding (VES) and 2D resistivity imaging were integrated to assess subsurface contamination by heavy metals in and around Orile Battery Waste Dumpsite, Kumapayi in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. The objectives are to determine the lateral and vertical variations of resistivity/conductivity in and around the dumpsite, determine the nature and thickness of the overburden, determine the depth to bedrock, and delineate subsurface zones of anomalously high conductivity/low resistivity which may have resulted from contamination by heavy metals.

Thirty-three VES stations were occupied using the Schlumberger electrode array with electrode spacing (AB/2) varied from 1 m to 100 m. The 2D resistivity survey was carried out along six East–West trending traverses established across and around the dumpsite using the Dipole-Dipole electrode array with station spacing of 10 m and expansion factor, n=1-5. The VES data were quantitatively interpreted using initial partial curve matching technique and 1D forward modelling while the dipole-dipole data were interpreted using 2D inversion procedures.

The geoelctric sections delineated three layers comprising topsoil with layer resistivity ranging from 18 Ωm to 264 Ωm and thickness varying from 0.4 m to 1.4 m, weathered layer with resistivity and thickness ranging from 1 Ωm to 219 Ωm and 0.6 m to 9.4 m respectively, and weathered/fractured/fresh bedrock with resistivity ranging from 132 Ωm and 6500 Ωm. The 2D inverted resistivity sections revealed anomalous resistivity lows suggesting contamination at depths ranging from 5 m to 10 m beneath the traverses. The contamination zones are characterized by resistivity values less than 10 Ωm.

The study revealed that the soil beneath the study area has been contaminated by the battery wastes. The suspected fractures and relatively shallow water table observed in the study area may have predisposed the groundwater to contamination which could constitute serious health risk to the inhabitants. It is recommended that geochemical analysis for heavy metals be conducted on the soil and groundwater from wells in the study area to assess the level of contamination.