Heavy Metal Concentration Assessment of Surface and Groundwater in the Vicinity of Ajakanga Dumpsite, Oluyole, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Heavy metal levels in the surface and groundwater sources in the vicinity of Ajakanga dumpsite, Ibadan Nigeria was assessed for quality status evaluation of the water sources within the dumpsite environment for their domestics and industrial suitabilities. Thirty eight (38) water samples consisting of Twenty-three (23) from hand-dug wells, ten (10) from boreholes and five (5) from streams were collected around the dumpsites with strict adherence to the prescribed standard. The water samples collected were tested for the following Heavy metal contents; Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Copper(Cu) , Manganese(Mg), Zinc(Zn), Nickel(Ni), and Chromium(Cr) in the laboratory using computerized Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)model 210.The result were evaluated and compared with WHO, EU and NSDWQ water quality standards. The comparison reveals that 93%, 75%, 63%, 37% and 19% of water sampled are characterized respectively by Fe, Pb, Ni, Cd and Mg concentration higher than the WHO, EU and NSDWQ recommended standard permissible limits, indicating possible impact of dumpsite on the groundwater quality. The Zn concentration in about 42% of total samples is above the EU health based value but is well within the WHO and NSDWQ permissible limits for all samples as with those of Cu, Cr and Co. The alarming and unacceptable higher concentration recorded for Pb, Fe and Ni in the samples renders the water sources unfit in its present form for human consumption and some industrial usabilities .Hence an urgent need for standard treatment and well organized precautionary measures for use of the water sources in the environment of the dumpsite.