Physicochemical Properties, Resource-Recovery Potential and Heavy-Metal Content of Market-Generated Waste in Bwari Area Council, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1022-5646Keywords:
market waste, physical composition, physicochemical properties, resource recovery, heavy metals, solid waste managementAbstract
Market-generated solid waste contains substantial recoverable material but may also contain metals that can constrain safe reuse. This study characterised the physical composition, physicochemical properties, nutrient content and heavy-metal concentrations of solid waste from Kubwa, Bwari and Dutse markets in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. Field sampling was conducted in June, October and November 2024. Within each market, waste was collected from different dumpsite positions, including upper and lower portions, and four coded field samples per market were used for laboratory characterisation. A 10 kg waste sample was manually sorted into organic/food waste, plastics and rubber, paper and cardboard, metals, glass, textiles, and grit/gravel. Proximate properties and nutrients were determined using the documented laboratory procedures, while Pb, As, Hg, Cd, Cu and Fe were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry after aqua-regia digestion. Organic/food waste dominated the three waste streams (55.70-60.20%). Kubwa recorded the highest mean calorific value (2,877.85 kJ/kg), while Dutse had the highest volatile matter, phosphorus and potassium values. Mean Pb and Hg concentrations were highest in Kubwa. The results indicate opportunities for composting, recycling and energy recovery, but the detected metal concentrations show that recovered materials should be chemically assessed before soil application or other reuse. The findings provide baseline evidence for market-specific segregation, recovery and monitoring strategies in Bwari Area Council.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Anita Onyeche Makyur, Oyelayo Adekyia, Alhassan Muhammed
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