Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation technique for selected heavy metal transport in MSW dumpsite

Abstract

The study focused on development of mathematical modeling and numerical simulation technique for selected heavy metal transport in Uyo municipal solid waste dumpsite in Akwa Ibom State to investigate the level in depth to which leachate from the dumpsite extends and the quantity of leachate at various depth of the dumpsite soil. Uyo waste dumpsite is operating open dumping system where provisions are not made for preservation and conservation of soil and water quality, hence, the need for this study. Three monitoring pits within Uyo waste dumpsite were constructed and infiltration runs were measured, and soil samples were collected beside infiltration points from nine designated depths ranging from 0 to 0.9 m for modeling heavy metal transport in the soil. Data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics while the COMSOL Multiphysics software 6.0 was used to simulate the movement of pollutants in the soil. It was observed that heavy metal contaminant transport in soil of the study area is in the power functional form. The transport of heavy metals in the dumpsite can be described by a power model from linear regression and a numerical model based on finite element. Their validation equations showed that the predicted and the observed concentrations yielded a very high R2 value of over 95%. The power model and the COMSOL finite element model show very strong correlation for all selected heavy metals. Findings from the study has identified level in depth to which leachate from the dumpsite extends and the quantity of leachate at various depth of the dumpsite soil which can be accurately predicted using leachate transport model of this study.

Physicochemical and Heavy Metal Analyses of Leachate at Dumping Sites of Some Selected Areas in Damaturu Yobe State, Nigeria

“…High turbidity was an indication of pollution and confirmed leachate infiltration into the wells (Ogedengbe and Akinbile 2004;Mohamed et al 2009;Michael et al, 2023). Pollution from Nitrites poses serious risk as it react directly with hemoglobin in human blood to produce methemoglobin, which destroys the ability of blood cells to transport oxygen (Fatta, 2007;Shuai et al, 2023;Usoh et al, 2023). Nitrite form the studies ranged from 1.91 to 7.14 mg/L and all this agreed with the findings of Igbinosa and Okoh in 2009 in their respective studies despite being below the WHO and NSDWQ values for potable water.…”

“…The discharge of landfill leachate can lead to serious environmental problems (Michael et al, 2023). Leachate contains four groups of contaminants: dissolved organic matters; inorganic compounds (Usoh et al, 2023), such as ammonium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, sulphate, chlorides; heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, Arsenic and xenophobic organic substances (Abdelwaheb et al,2012;Lilian et al, 2023). The rate and characteristics of leachate produced depends on many factors such as solid waste composition, particle size, degree of compaction, hydrology of site, age of landfill, moisture and temperature conditions, and available oxygen (Irma et al, 2016;Jidi et al, 2023).…”

Spatial variability of heavy metals concentrations in soil of auto-mechanic workshop clusters in Nsukka, Nigeria

“…It provides valuable insights into environmental health risks, raises community awareness, informs policy development, assesses economic implications, and advances scientific knowledge. By quantifying heavy metal pollution and understanding its spatial distribution, the study contributes to efforts aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and protecting human health 24 , 25 .…”