Saanu Emmanuel Kosemani¹, Josephine Bolaji Edward^1,

This study aimed at investigating the toxic effect of raw leachates on freshwater and organisms inhabiting it, most especially fish. Samples of leachates and some associated microorganisms were obtained from Akomo landfill, Igbemo Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Physico-chemical analysis showed that the leachate contained toxic elements in high concentration including some heavy metals namely Pb, Cd, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn. The 96hrsLC50 (95% confidence interval) on Clarias gariepinus was 21.5% (14.82 - 31.2), haematocrit percent, erythrocyte number, haemoglobin concentration, leukocyte number was found to increase with increase in leukocyte concentration. Potential pathogen and toxin-producing microorganisms identified include Pseudomonas florescences, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Penicillium oxidicum. These observations are of prime health concern because there is no containment or treatment system for the leachate generated from the study site. This finding would therefore be of importance in assessment from landfill discharge into the aquatic environment in Ekiti State.

leachate pollution, microbial characterization, toxicity, waste landfill, Igbemo – Ekiti