Contamination of Dump Soils by Toxic Heavy Metals: An Emerging Risk to Groundwater Quality

Abstract

Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) pose significant concerns due to their persistence in the environment and their potential risks to human health and ecosystems. Contamination of soil can jeopardize groundwater quality, as precipitation may facilitate the leaching of these metals into the water supply.

Given that groundwater serves as a crucial source of drinking water, such contamination can adversely affect aquifer geochemistry, resulting in severe health and environmental consequences. This study corroborates earlier research that identified the presence of Cd, Pb, and Hg in borewell samples by assessing heavy metal concentrations in the soil surrounding the Papua New Guinea University of Technology's dump site. Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS), the investigation revealed concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Hg ranging from 0.0031 to 0.0062 mg/L, 0.04 to 0.63 mg/L, and 0.0008 to 0.0018 mg/L, respectively. The findings indicate a significant increase in heavy metal concentrations in proximity to the dump site over the years.