Composition of Resident Macro-Invertebrates in Refuse Dumps at University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Improper dumping of solid wastes has detrimental impact on both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The macro-invertebrate fauna, resident in open dumps have recently drawn the attention of researchers on environmental health and safety. In Nigeria, solid wastes are regularly dumped in low-lying lands close to slums. Lack of sorting the wastes into different categories results in medical and hazardous wastes being mixed with household biodegradable solid wastes that serve as breeding sites for insects, vermin and scavengers. The dumps are capable of causing air, water and arthropod-borne diseases. Macro-invertebrates (centipedes, earthworms, insects, millipedes, pill bugs, snails and spiders,) of University of Port Harcourt dumps were collected with pitfall traps. Arthropods dominated in number in the dumps and are more diversified. The higher abundance of the arthropods and relatively representation of annelids and molluscs in all the dumps were attributed to ecological partitioning of the invertebrates and the dumps providing them suitable ground for habitation, feeding, reproduction and development. The health implications of the insect and other invertebrates were discussed. The international best practice of recovery, recycle, reuse and reduction in addition to use of incinerator and landfill systems in management solid wastes were recommended as blue print for the larger community of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.