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E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management

E3 Journal of Environmental Research and Management Vol. 4 (5) pp. 0253-0259, June 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2141-7466


Heavy metal concentration of groundwater deposits in odeda region, Ogun state, Nigeria

A. A. Amori 1 , O.O. Oduntan 1 * , I.C. Okeyode 1 , S.O. Ojo 1
1 Department of Water Resources Management University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria
2 Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
3 Department of Physics, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
4 Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management University of Ibadan, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author E-mail: oladapo.oduntan@yahoo.com
Accepted 4 June 2013

Abstract

Groundwater constitutes one of major source of water supply especially in most rural communities in Nigeria, in addition to rainwater and surface water bodies. For this reason, there has been a consistent demand for groundwater through the construction of borehole and hand dug wells. In spite of this experience, however, there has been an increased concern as to the safety of groundwater for human consumption, following reported cases of the occurrence of heavy metals and several bacteria in groundwater which by nature are injurious to human health. This paper in response to this, examined the occurrence of heavy metals in groundwater samples taken from thirty locations in Odeda in Abeokuta region of Ogun State. A total of sixty samples were obtained from boreholes and hand dugged wells drawn from some location in the town and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Heavy metals such as nickel, copper, zinc, lead, iron and arsenic were analyzed Instruments such as water spectrophotometer, turbidity meter, incubator, pH Meter, arsenic kits, were used for the analysis and detection of heavy metals. Result showed that there were heavy occurrences of zinc, lead, nickel in all the sample taking from hand dug wells. There were also traces of arsenic in most of the hand-dugged wells whereas there were no traces in the borehole samples. The levels of heavy metals found in the well samples were outside the limits specified by World Health Organization (WHO). The implications of the result for the management and use of groundwater in the study area were identified and discussed and recommendations preferred so as to how water obtain from hand dug wells and boreholes can be better treated for human use.

Keywords: Groundwater, Water Quality, Heavy Metals, Boreholes, Hand Dugged Wells

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