In this study, the physicochemical parameters, anions, exchangeable cations, tracemetals concentrations and selected soil enzymes activities of Njoku solid waste dumpsite Owerri municipal, Nigeria were investigated. Soil temperature (28.8 ± 0.04-33.9±0.01 o C), pH of the heavily polluted points (7.3 ± 0.01-7.4±0.03) moisture content (26.74±0.10) were significantly higher (P< 0.05) compared to control soil samples. Similarly dumpsite soil nitrate level, percentage organic carbon, organic matter, sulphate and phosphate ions were significantly (P<0.05) increased with increased waste dumping. All the exchangeable cations and trace metals concentrations investigated were higher (P<0.05) than control levels. However, while the dumpsite soil alkaline phosphatase enzyme activity remained unaffected by waste dumping (p>0.05), acid phosphatase, dehydrogenase, lipase, hydrogen peroxidase and urease enzymes activities were enhanced (p<0.05) at the heavily polluted points of the dumpsite compared to control samples. Although the dumping of solid wastes increased the soil nutrients, most were made unavailable to plants and microorganisms.

This study was designed to assess the impact quarry mining effluent discharge impacted

The study assessed the effects of quarry mining wastes on the nutritional composition of Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin), Cucumis sativus (cucumber) and Taliferia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin) using standard analytical methods. Nearby farmland soil receiving effluents from quarry operators were used for the study. The study covered wet and dry seasons. Water from hand dug wells in the mining area was used to irrigate farmland during the dry season. Results of study revealed a significant reduction in protein, lipid and carbohydrate content of vegetables grown in the area compared to the control (P<0.05). Further, vitamin composition of the selected vegetables significantly increased (P<0.05) in response to environmental stress compare to control. These results suggest contamination of farmlands in the study area by mine waste water and subsequent contaminant was also uptake by vegetables grown in such farmlands. Findings from this study imply that crop farming in the quarry environment and irrigation of farmlands with water from hand dug wells in the mining area should be discouraged. There is also a possibility of human ingestion of accumulated toxic contaminants such as heavy metals in vegetables if consumed.