Toxicology International (Formerly Indian Journal of Toxicology)

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Assessment of Drinking Water Quality Using Metal Index, Degree of Contamination and Hazard Indices on Ground Water Sources in an Agricultural Tropical Environment


Affiliations
1 Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
2 Department of Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal Universiy, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
3 Department of Chemistry, Gregory university, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
4 Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
5 Department of Chemical Science, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria
6 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcort, Rivers State, Nigeria
7 QA/QC laboratory, Technical Services Department, Notore Chemical University PLC, Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria
8 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
     

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The study conducted in the dry and rainy seasons of 2019 assessed the levels of metals in groundwater sampled from boreholes and dug wells in Ikwo, southeastern Nigeria. Nine water samples were analysed for calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and aluminium using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Analysis showed higher metal concentrations in the rainy season, except for manganese whose concentrations were higher in the dry season. The levels of the metals exceeded permissible limits in both seasons except for calcium. The metal indices were not greater than 2, while all degrees of contamination was less than 1. This collaborative classification of both metal index and degrees of contamination suggests that the water samples were safe to drink. The health risks assessed by Hazard Indices (HI) were classified into low and medium (≥ 0.1 to < 4) levels of chronic risks. The HI values were evaluated for both children and adults. The HI values were predominantly medium for children and low for adults. All indices for water quality evaluation agree that groundwater in the study area is of minimal contamination hence, no immediate threat to health. Therefore to ensure quality water supply, sustainable monitoring of water quality is recommended in the study area.

Keywords

Degree of Contamination, Groundwater, Health Risk Assessment, Ikwo, Metals, Metal Index, Water Quality.
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  • Assessment of Drinking Water Quality Using Metal Index, Degree of Contamination and Hazard Indices on Ground Water Sources in an Agricultural Tropical Environment

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Authors

Andrew Tyopine
Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
Amobi C. Ekwe
Department of Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal Universiy, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
Olufemi V. Omonona
Department of Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal Universiy, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
George-Best Azuoko
Department of Geology/Geophysics, Alex Ekwueme Federal Universiy, Ndufu-Alike, Nigeria
Esther Onyinyechi Oji
Department of Chemistry, Gregory university, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria
Ndubuisi Godstime Igwebuike
Department of Earth Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
Chigbundu Nduadim Emeruwa
Department of Chemical Science, Rhema University, Aba, Nigeria
Ayomide Blessing Olusegun
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Port Harcort, Rivers State, Nigeria
Joseph Onyekweli Osakwe
QA/QC laboratory, Technical Services Department, Notore Chemical University PLC, Onne, Rivers State, Nigeria
Onyeije Ugomma Chibuzo
Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Abstract


The study conducted in the dry and rainy seasons of 2019 assessed the levels of metals in groundwater sampled from boreholes and dug wells in Ikwo, southeastern Nigeria. Nine water samples were analysed for calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and aluminium using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Analysis showed higher metal concentrations in the rainy season, except for manganese whose concentrations were higher in the dry season. The levels of the metals exceeded permissible limits in both seasons except for calcium. The metal indices were not greater than 2, while all degrees of contamination was less than 1. This collaborative classification of both metal index and degrees of contamination suggests that the water samples were safe to drink. The health risks assessed by Hazard Indices (HI) were classified into low and medium (≥ 0.1 to < 4) levels of chronic risks. The HI values were evaluated for both children and adults. The HI values were predominantly medium for children and low for adults. All indices for water quality evaluation agree that groundwater in the study area is of minimal contamination hence, no immediate threat to health. Therefore to ensure quality water supply, sustainable monitoring of water quality is recommended in the study area.

Keywords


Degree of Contamination, Groundwater, Health Risk Assessment, Ikwo, Metals, Metal Index, Water Quality.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18311/ti%2F2023%2Fv30i1%2F29016