Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ISSN 2231-606X

Vol. 2(12), 65-68, December (2012) Res.J.Chem. Sci.

Analysis of Cr in Dumpsite Soil Samples Using AAS and EDXRF

Techniques
Mohammed S.S., Batu M.A. and Mohammed M.B.
Department of Applied Science, College of Science and Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, NIGERIA
Available online at: www.isca.in
th th th
Received 11 September 2012, revised 8 October 2012, accepted 26 October 2012

Abstract
In this research, speciation analysis of dumpsite soils from Kurmin Mashi (KM), Narayi (NY) and Tudun Wada (TW) of
Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria was carried out. A modified Tessier extraction procedure was employed for the analysis. The
concentration of Cr in the samples was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and Energy Dispersive X-
Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) techniques. The results revealed that KM dumpsite had the highest amount of Cr. From the
ANOVA (P= 0.000 < 0.05), it was established that there is a significant difference in the total chromium content across the
three locations. The results also showed that the metal was distributed between oxides, carbonate and carbonate/organically
bound fractions and that acetic acid extracted the highest amount of Cr across the dumpsites. Similarly, the ANOVA (P =
0.020 < 0.05) indicated a significant difference in the Cr extracted using the three extraction media.
Keywords: speciation analysis, dumpsite soil, AAS, EDXRF, Kaduna metropolis.

Introduction through different sequential extraction procedures in

10
Anthropogenic activities usually create wastes which constitute environmental studies . The objective of this work therefore,
risks to the environment and public health, as a result of the way was to determine the total concentration and chemical forms of
and manner these wastes are handled, stored, collected and chromium in some refuse dumpsites in Kaduna in order to
disposed of. In the urban areas, especially a rapidly urbanizing assess the human health and ecological risks associated with the
city like Kaduna, problems and issues of solid waste refuse dumpsites.
management are of immediate importance. The rapid population
Material and Methods
growth presents a serious challenge to the authorities, so much
so that when wastes are collected; they are disposed of in A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer model 8010
uncontrolled dumpsites and/or burnt, polluting water resources Young Lin and Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence
1-3
and air . Municipal solid waste includes waste generated from spectrometer model minipal 4 were used in the Cr
residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, construction, determination. In the extraction procedures, 1.0M oxalic acid,
demolition, process and municipal sources. Residential single 0.05M Na2EDTA and 1.0M acetic were used.
and multifamily dwellings generate food wastes, paper,
cardboard, plastics, textile, leathers, yard waste, wood, glass, Preparation of samples: The research covered three sites in
metals, ashes, special wastes e.g. bulky items, consumer Kaduna, Nigeria. The sites are: Kurmin Mashi (KM),
electronics, white goods, batteries, oils, tires and household Narayi(NY) and Tudun Wada (TW). The dumpsites are situated
hazardous wastes. Commercial stores, hotels, restaurants, around residential areas within metropolis. The samples were
markets generate paper, cardboard, plastics, wood, food wastes, collected during the rainy season in September and October,
4-5
glass, metals, special wastes, office buildings etc . 2011. The soil samples from the dumpsites were collected from
different areas enumerated as shown in figure-1. Triplicate
The levels of heavy metals in the environment have been sample from each dumpsite were collected and composite
seriously increased during the last few decades due to human samples were made in the laboratory. The samples were air
activities. It is important to note that total heavy metal content is dried and sieved using 2mm sieve.
a critical measure in assessing risk of a refuse dumpsite, but it
alone does not provide predictive insights on the bioavailability, Digestion and extraction of soil: Soil extracts from the
6-7
mobility and fate of the heavy metal contaminants . Since the dumpsite were obtained by shaking separately 5g of soil
8-9
toxicity of the heavy metals is related to their existing species , samples with 10cm of 0.05M Na2EDTA ( for carbonate and
the speciation of them increasingly was attracting more organically bound phases) 1.0M of oxalic acid (for oxide phase)
attentions. However, the determination of specific chemical and 1.0M acetic acid
3
(for carbonate phase) occasionally on a hot
species is difficult and sometimes impossible. So, the so-called plate. Four (4)cm of 1.5M HNO3 was added to 3the residue and
exchangeable or carbonate-bound forms defined by the centrifuged. The digest was diluted to 60cm with distilled
9
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operational procedure could be a good compromise to provide water . The clear digest was analysed for Cr using FAAS model
environmental information and have been commonly applied 8010 Young Lin. A blank digest was carried out in the same
way.

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Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ISSN 2231-606X
Vol. 2(12), 65-68, December (2012) Res. J. Chem. Sci.

Total Metal Concentration: In determining the total metal carbonate and oxide fractions. The chemical forms of the metal
concentration in the various dumpsites, 5g of fresh samples in KM are carbonate/organically bound and carbonate species
from each site were air dried and pulverized. These were and hence bioavailable and mobile in this location
14-16
. The
analysed using the EDXRF spectrometer model minipal 4. oxide phase is virtually nonexistent in KM. Similar observations
were made in NY and TW.
Results and Discussion
The pH values of the dumpsites from KM and NY are acidic.
Total chromium content in the dumpsites: The total chromium
This could be attributed to the presence of metal scrap, waste
content in the dumpsites varied from one location to another.
materials in the dumpsites and other human activities taking
The results are shown in table 1. From the results Kurmin Mashi 2
(KM) dumpsite had the highest amount of chromium. This place around the dumpsites . The Dumpsite in TW appeared to
could be attributed to the nearness of the dumpsites to be alkaline. The acidity of dumpsites enhances the
17-21
residential single and multifamily dwellings, markets, bioavailability, solubility and mobility of the metal .
commercial stores, office buildings, mechanic workshops.
Similar observations were made by the other investigators
2,10-12
. From the ANOVA (p = 0.000 < 0.05 and p = 0.020 < 0.05),
The chromium contents in Kurmin Mashi (KM) and Narayi there is a significant difference in the chromium concentrations
13 across the three locations and in the chromium extracted using
(NY) are below the allowable limits of 1000mg/kg . From the
the three extraction media employed. From the Duncan multiple
ANOVA (P = 0.000 < 0.05), there is a significant difference in
range test, it was established that soils from TW have the
the total chromium content across the three locations.
highest amount of chromium from the dumpsites, followed by
EDTA and oxalic acid, as shown in figure-2 and figure-3.
Chromium Speciation: The chromium distribution in the
dumpsites varied from one location to another as shown in
table-1. The metal existed in carbonate/organically bound,

Figure-1
Map of Kaduna Metropolis showing sampling sites

Table-1
Results of Chromium concentration in the dumpsites across the sample
locations
Sample Site pH EDTA 0.05M Oxalic acid (1.0M) Acetic Acid (1.0M) Total Cr Conc. mg/kg
KM 5.13 0.20 + 0.069 0.00 + 0.000 0.48 + 0.000 303.33 + 70.95
NY 5.23 0.16 + 0.069 0.24 + 0.000 0.20 + 0.069 260.00 + 40.00
TW 8.37 0.36 + 0.120 0.56 + 0.069 0.32 + 0.069 NIL
The results are mean values (mg/kg) + standard deviation n = 3
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Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ISSN 2231-606X
Vol. 2(12), 65-68, December (2012) Res. J. Chem. Sci.

Figure-2
Mean plot of chromium concentration in the dumpsites

Figure-3
Mean plot for chromium concentration in the extraction
media

Conclusion imminent danger associated with the continuous pollution of the

soil of the dumpsites by Cr begs for concerted efforts towards
The research work reveals high level of accumulated Cr in the
effective management of municipal solid waste. The level of
soil of the three dumpsites studied, hence the pollution of these
heavy metals can be reduced to reasonable and manageable
areas. The contamination of the soil by the metal can be traced
level if solid wastes are sorted and the inorganic parts reduced.
to the various anthropogenic activities at the dumpsites. The

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Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ISSN 2231-606X
Vol. 2(12), 65-68, December (2012) Res. J. Chem. Sci.

Acknowledgement Leaves and Fruits in the Vicinity of Paint Industry,

Nigeria, Res. J. Recent Sci., 1(4), 22-26 (2012)
Authors acknowledge the assistance of Kaduna Polytechnic for
providing the facilities for the analysis. 10. Tessier A., Campbell P.G.C. and Bisson M., Sequential
extraction procedure for the speciation of particular trace
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