Assessment of Heavy Metals Leaching in Groundwater of Industrial Areas of Nigeria
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Date
2015
Authors
Ojekunle, Z.O.
Rasak, A.M.
Mustapha, D.Z.
Ojekunle, V.O.
Sangowusi, R.O.
Oyebanji, F.F.
Adekitan, A.A.
Odjegba
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Abstract
Pollution of ground water with heavy metals from industrial activities has caused a major threat to human life exposing man to series of diseases, crippling disability and death. This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals leaching into groundwater from the industrial activities and to assess their long term effect on life of the
people and the resultant aquifer. The study was carried out at 10 different locations which are all located in Ikeja industrial areas. The water samples collected were subjected to physical, chemical, heavy metal and bacteriological analysis in order to determine their level of pollution. Samples were prepared according to the standard methods using atomic absorption spectrophotometry for heavy metals determination. The result of the analysis shows that heavy metals in water samples had an average pH mean value of 5.20 indicating the acidity of the water sampled, while the average electrical conductivity, temperature and total acidity of were 0.64µs/cm 29.70 o C and 29.60 respectively. The average mean concentration of the chemical and heavy metals were 0.132 mg/l, 0.040 mg/l, 0.279 mg/l, 0.148 mg/l, 0.026 mg/l, 0.0055 mg/l, 0.00266 mg/l and 0.0097 mg/l for calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, cadmium, lead, and chromium respectively. The parameters analysed were at varying concentrations in the groundwater with parameters such as nitrate, phosphate, and pH exceeding the World Health Organization (W.H.O) standard, it was observed that the sample collected from Neimeth pharmaceuticals exceeded the permissible level for iron and lead having the value of 0.0391mg/l and 0.0627mg/l, while most of the water samples analysed falls within the permissible limit in accordance with the WHO standards. Adequate care must be taken for further prevention and handling of
chemical discharges from industries. The need for the treatment of the groundwater and control of human activities in the area to prevent further contamination must also be put be in place.
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Staff publications
Keywords
Leaching , Groundwater , Crippling disability , Research Subject Categories::TECHNOLOGY
Citation
Ojekunle, Z.O [Et...al] (2014). Assessment of Heavy Metals Leaching in Groundwater of Industrial Areas of Nigeria.