Paper

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Ground Water from Northern Nigeria


Authors:
I. S SHABANDA; J. I. SHABANDA
Abstract
Human activities have been the major causes of water pollution, and the presence of heavy metals could be an indicator that water bodies are polluted. This research examined the concentration of heavy metals in well and bore hole water from three different areas in Aliero town: Bodiga, Labana farm and Kalli. The analysis was conducted byAtomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The concentrations of the metals in sample A (Bodiga) appeared in the order Fe 1.638±0.0011 ppm > Mn 0.172±0.0002 ppm > Pb 0.113±0.0001 ppm > Cu 0.081±0.0006 ppm > Ni 0.001±0.0002 ppm; the concentrations in sample B (Labana, bore hole water) was in increasing order of Fe 1.260±0.0016 ppm > Pb 0.234±0.0002 ppm> Mn 0.100±0.0001 ppm > Cu 0.060±0.0002 ppm. The concentrations in sample C (Kalli, well water) appeared in increasing order of Fe 1.973±0.0011 ppm > Pb 0.323±0.0002 ppm > Mn 0.186±0.0003 ppm > Cu 0.101±0.0003 ppm > Ni 0.012±0.0003 ppm.The concentrations of Fe and Pb in all three sources of water was found to be above the WHO standards while concentrations of copper, nickel, and manganese were found to be below the maximum limit of WHO standards. The inhabitants who used the water for both consumption and domestic purposes should be enlightened on the toxicological effects of these heavy metals to human health, plants and animals. There is therefore the need for proper monitoring of the water by the proper governmental agencies.
Keywords
Heavy Metals; Wells; Bore Hole; Labana; Pollutio
StartPage
265
EndPage
269
Doi
10.5963/JWRHE0403008
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