Background Indiscriminate disposal of solid waste and lack of efficient waste management systems have led to increased trace elements (TEs) contamination in urban and semi-urban areas in developing countries. TEs are among the most hazardous due to their persistence and non-degradability. They can accumulate in soils and leach into groundwater, leading to their entrance into the food chain, posing significant risks to human health and ecological receptors. Therefore, it is absolutely essential to assess the TEs associated with municipal waste around dumpsites to safeguard public health and the environment. Objective This study aimed to assess the pollution levels and source distributions of some TEs (Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, and Cr) in the dumpsite soils from the Gida Dubu-Yelwawa axis of Dutse metropolis, Jigawa State, North-Western Nigeria. Methodology A total of 26 soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 cm and 20-50 cm and analysed for HM levels using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). Pollution levels were evaluated using the Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Ecological Risk Index (RI), and Pearson correlation and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed for source distribution analysis. Results The findings of the study revealed that the concentration of TEs ranged from 11.5 to 111.1 mg kg −1 (Pb), 2.50 to 182.0 mg kg-1 (Cd), 14.5 to 105.2 mg kg-1 (Ni), 122.5 to 402.7 mg kg −1 (Mn), and 73.4 to 279.0 mg kg −1 (Cr), with levels higher than their respective controls. The application of pollution indices (CF, PLI, ErF, and RI) revealed moderate to considerable contamination and potential ecological risk, with Cd being the most critical pollutant. Pearson correlation and PCA analysis revealed that Mn, Cr, and Pb were likely originated from anthropogenic sources, including industrial and agricultural sources (batteries, e-waste, fertilizers), while Cd and Ni might originate from natural and anthropogenic pollution sources. Geochemical interpretation indicated Pb and Cd are retained in surface soils, whereas Mn and Cr exhibit greater vertical mobility, posing a long-term groundwater contamination risk. Conclusion Dumpsite soils from the study area are contaminated by TEs, and the proximity of these dumpsites to residential areas raises concerns about potential exposure to these TEs. This necessitates a long-term monitoring program, sustainable remediation approaches, public awareness, and regulatory enforcement of hazardous waste disposal in the study area to safeguard the public and the environment.
Olaleye et al. (Mon,) studied this question.