ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF AUTOMOBILE WASTE DUMP ON SOIL

1.1 Introduction

An automobile is a machine whose ultimate designed function is to transport men and goods. It is also called a motor car (Ifediora, 2009). It is a self-propelled vehicle which contains the power source for its propulsion and is used for transporting passengers and goods on the ground, such as car, bus, trucks, articulated vehicles, etc. It is also a transportation equipment unit which consists of a frame supporting the body and certain power developing and transmitting units which are further supported by tires and wheels through springs and axles (Rajput, 2007). Automobile vehicles are made lighter with new plastic parts. However, there are growing global concerns on disposal of automobile plastic waste. There are growing global concerns regarding environmental degradation resulting from non degradable wastes. Wastes are materials that are no longer useful.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

Automobile wastes can be generally described as discarded vehicle materials. Highly developed countries and urban areas relatively generate different types of waste such as paper, cardboard, glass, e-waste, metal and plastic waste are dominating. Waste need to be managed during the whole process till its disposal, which is known as waste management; waste management includes the choice of activities on how to collect, transport, treat and which waste disposal methods to select. United Nations Environment Protection (UNEP) Guideline for waste management strategies (2013) classified waste by: waste sources and waste streams.

A mechanic village is an area of open land allocated to automobile repair workers in the vicinity of an urban centre. In Nigeria, for example, the mechanic village in Nekede has an area of 136 acres; one in Orji has 101 acres of land, and one in Okigwe has 74 acres of land. A typical city usually has one to three mechanic villages, in proportion to its population and activities, but some cities have more. With the progress of the automobile industries in Europe and the United States moving towards greener electric cars, the international trade in used motor vehicles is likely to increase. As a result, great numbers of used fuel – guzzling cars of all models are expected to stream into developing countries in this first quarter of the century.

United Nations Environment Protection (UNEP) Guideline for waste management strategies (2013) defined waste as materials that have no further use in terms of purposes of production, transformation or consumption, and of which the user wants to dispose. Urban areas will react to the increased supply by establishing more mechanic villages, and more developing countries may buy the mechanic village concept.

The advantages of mechanic village over a city wide spread of mechanic workshops were originally conceived as: to save automobile owners’ the trouble of searching for mechanic specialists, to prevent motorists from falling into the hands of incompetent mechanics and to create opportunities for knowledge sharing among mechanics. They also serve as large scale skill acquisition centres for auto mechanics, auto-electricians, spray-painters, panel beaters and welders, spare parts fabricating and machine operators, spare parts dealers (old and new), particularly since the late 1980’s when the import of used cars from Western Europe and the USA increased dramatically.

Ajayi and Dosunmu (2002) estimated an increase in the importation of used motor vehicles from less than 500 in 1988 to about 30,000 in 2000. The mechanic villages also improved urban aesthetics by removing a large number of degraded makeshift workshops scattered throughout the cities, and removing poorly dressed workers from the public eyes. In addition they provide accommodation for some of the trainees, space for spare parts shops, and restaurants, as well as yards for junk cars and unserviceable vehicles that would have otherwise constituted environmental nuisance in homes and public places.

Igbozurike et al. (2009) tested cassava plant tubers harvested from an abandoned sewage sludge dump near Owerri, using AAS, and observed high heavy metal concentrations of 38.25, 138.7, 125.8, 5.50 and 3.60 mg kg-1 respectively for Ni, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd, compared to their background levels. This dump was not active; was abandoned for three year prior to the study, and this may have reduced the concentration levels following diffusion, infiltration, and other bio – extraction processes that may have taken place in the contaminated soil.

Despite the numerous advantages, mechanic villages’ projects may not have been provided with sufficient funding or significant attention by the government proprietors, resulting to the poorly infrastructural development. For example, Abdulahi (2008) in analysing budgetary allocations and selected sectors’ contribution to economic development in Nigeria, high-lighted transport sector as central to economic activities and therefore paramount that this sector be given more attention than the government is currently doing. While an automobile engine is running, the motor oil collects particles of heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Used engine oil or transmission fluid poured on the ground therefore enriches the soil with heavy metals, which can drain into both surface waterways and groundwater. Spilling waste automobile fluids on the ground, and the processes of metal corrosion will therefore enrich the soil with heavy metals.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Environmental Impacts of Automobile Waste Dump on Soil.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that there is unorganized, indiscrimate and unscientific dumping of wastes is very common disposal method in many cities which causes adverse impact to the environment (Mahar et al., 2007). Nearly all human activities generate wastes and the way, in which this is handled, stored, collected and disposed of, can pose risk to the environment and to public health (Zhu et al., 2008).

Different sources such as electronic goods, used batteries etc, when dumped with municipal solid wastes raise the heavy metals concentration in the dumpsites and dumping devoid of the separation of hazardous wastes can further elevate noxious environmental effects.

One of the most prominent soil hazardous waste is battery wastes. Varieties of batteries are found based on the appliances that require it e.g. lead-acid batteries for automobiles. Some cars use more exotic starter batteries the 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS which offer a lithium-ion battery as an option to save weight over a conventional lead-acid battery (Balfour et al., 2011).

The man-made wastes including automobile wastes introduced into the soil environment amplify the magnitude of the trace element almost to an extent of threatening life and entire ecosystem (Oliveira and Pampulha, 2006). In many cases, the wastes are taken up by roots and shoot of plants and in turn gets into other higher organisms including man when ingested (Kabata- Pendias, 2002).

On the other hand, physicochemical properties play vital role in the soil quality and these physical properties include soil color, soil texture, soil structure, bulk density etc., while chemical properties include Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) and soil reaction, (pH) (Brady, 1990). The situation where the soil is contaminated by wastes, the proportion of its component is adversely affected, resulting in plants, animals and human health disorder.

Several reports have it that pollution inhibits soil microbial activities but there is scarce information on effect of battery waste contaminated soil in spite of extensive use of batteries and its various activities on soil (Smejkalova et al., 2003). In Nigeria, being a developing country with little or no policy on disposal of automobile battery waste, such adverse effect is almost unnoticed.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to assess the Environmental Impacts of Automobile Waste Dump on Soil. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To examine the effects of automobile battery wastes on the physico-chemical of the soil; and
2. To analyze the heavy metals and physico-chemicals present in automobile waste dump on soil.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• What are the effects of automobile battery wastes on the physico-chemical of the soil?
• What are the heavy metals and physico-chemicals present in automobile waste dump on soil?

1.6 Significance of Study

This study will be of immense benefit to researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Environmental Impacts of Automobile Waste Dump on Soil in Nigeria using Automobile Battery Manufacturing Companies (ABMC) in Owerri, Imo State as a case study.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.

Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).