Indian Journal of Science and Technology

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Assessment of Groundwater Contamination by Toxic Metals in Ifo, Southwestern Nigeria


Affiliations
1 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, PMB 50, Ilaro Ogun State, Nigeria
2 Dept. of Environ. Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
3 Dept. of Science Laboratory Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
 

Twenty two wells were sampled in this regard and analyzed for pH, temperature, redox potential (RP), alkalinity, salinity, toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) using standard procedures. High trace metal concentrations were observed in most of the well water samples. Results showed that 50 % of the wells recorded values greater than WHO standard for Fe (0.06-0.59 mg/L), 41 % have Cd (0.000-0.010 mg/L) level higher than WHO standard while 82 % recorded high Pb (0.00-0.23 mg/L) levels greater than WHO standard in drinking water. Zinc values of the well water samples were generally low. The high values of Cd and Pb in most of the groundwater samples is harmful to human health and calls for necessary cautions by the public before consuming the water. The study therefore, recommends proper purification methods that will remove the toxic metals and further minimize their nefarious ill-effects on humans.

Keywords

Groundwater, Trace Metals, Parameters, Standard, Contamination
User

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  • Assessment of Groundwater Contamination by Toxic Metals in Ifo, Southwestern Nigeria

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Authors

H. Ayedun
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, PMB 50, Ilaro Ogun State, Nigeria
A. M. Taiwo
Dept. of Environ. Management and Toxicology, University of Agriculture PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
B. F. Umar
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, PMB 50, Ilaro Ogun State, Nigeria
O. A. Oseni
Dept. of Science Laboratory Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
A. A. Oderinde
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic, PMB 50, Ilaro Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract


Twenty two wells were sampled in this regard and analyzed for pH, temperature, redox potential (RP), alkalinity, salinity, toxic metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) using standard procedures. High trace metal concentrations were observed in most of the well water samples. Results showed that 50 % of the wells recorded values greater than WHO standard for Fe (0.06-0.59 mg/L), 41 % have Cd (0.000-0.010 mg/L) level higher than WHO standard while 82 % recorded high Pb (0.00-0.23 mg/L) levels greater than WHO standard in drinking water. Zinc values of the well water samples were generally low. The high values of Cd and Pb in most of the groundwater samples is harmful to human health and calls for necessary cautions by the public before consuming the water. The study therefore, recommends proper purification methods that will remove the toxic metals and further minimize their nefarious ill-effects on humans.

Keywords


Groundwater, Trace Metals, Parameters, Standard, Contamination

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.17485/ijst%2F2011%2Fv4i7%2F30118