Ecological and Public Health Implications of Dumpsite Leachate: Bio-Monitoring of Aquatic Organisms and Community Perceptions in Offa Garage Axis, Ilorin, Nigeria

• Miracle A. OLAITAN

  Author

• Musa SURAJUDEEN

  Author

• Adeniyi G. ADEOGUN

  Author

Dumpsite leachate poses significant ecological and public health concerns in many developing urban centers due to its potential to contaminate groundwater and surrounding aquatic ecosystems. This study assessed the ecological and public health implications of dumpsite leachate in the Offa Garage axis, Ilorin, Nigeria, using biomonitoring of aquatic organisms and community perception assessment. Groundwater samples were collected from locations situated at distances of <100 m, 100–200 m, and >200 m (control) from the dumpsite. Ecological impacts were evaluated using macroinvertebrate assemblages and algal toxicity bioassays involving Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, while residents’ exposure pathways, environmental perceptions, and health concerns were assessed through structured interviews. Macroinvertebrate diversity increased with distance from the dumpsite, with Simpson’s Diversity Index rising from 0.188 at <100 m to 0.7015 at >200 m, while the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index decreased from 8.50 to 4.89, indicating improved ecological condition away from the contamination source. Algal toxicity bioassays showed reduced chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and carotenoid concentrations under acute exposure conditions, particularly in samples collected closest to the dumpsite, suggesting contaminant-induced physiological stress and reduced primary productivity. Survey findings revealed that 86.7% of respondents used well water for domestic activities, whereas 73.3% did not believe that the dumpsite affected groundwater quality despite observable changes in water characteristics and environmental conditions. The study demonstrated that dumpsite proximity adversely affected ecological integrity and may increase public health vulnerability through continued groundwater exposure and limited risk awareness. It was concluded that biomonitoring provided valuable evidence of ecological stress associated with leachate contamination and complemented conventional environmental assessment approaches. Continuous groundwater monitoring, improved waste management practices, and enhanced community environmental awareness programme were recommended to mitigate potential ecological and public health risks.

• 55_Olaitan et al. (2026)

Copyright (c) 2026 Miracle A. OLAITAN, Musa SURAJUDEEN, Adeniyi G. ADEOGUN (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.