Metals Contamination of Groundwater Resources of Enugu North District, SouthEast Nigeria

Subject Areas : Journal of Chemical Health Risks

Vitus Agbazue ¹ (Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka)
Nwachukwu Ekere ² (Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka)
Benedict Ngang ³ (Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka)
Janefrances Ihedioha ⁴ (Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Analytical/Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nigeria, Nsukka)

Received: 2017-12-28 Accepted : 2018-10-29 Published : 2018-04-15

Keywords: Contamination, Groundwater, Seasonal variation, Metals, Enugu North, Boreholes,

Abstract :

Ground water samples were collected from boreholes in Enugu Northern District, South-east Nigeria and analyzed for some metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, K, Na and Zn) contents. The metals were determined at monthly intervals for three months in dry season and then repeated in rainy season using standard methods. The range of values obtained during dry season include: Na (0.0–21.28 mg/L), K (0.0–12.03 mg/L), Cu (0.0–23.01 mg/L), Fe (0.0–11.03 mg/L), and Zn (0.01–3.00 mg/L). During rainy season, the metal contents were of the following ranges: Na (0.0-21.28 mg/L), K (1.32-15.11 mg/L), Cu (0.03-28.37 mg/L), Fe (0.0-12.29 mg/L), and Zn (0.02-3.61 mg/L). Cd and Pb were not detected in all the samples studied. The mean values of the parameters were compared with recommended standard guideline values and some were above the guideline values for drinking water quality.  Seasonal variations of the parameters in the samples were observed with rainy season values higher. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS Windows Version 20 analysis showed statistically significant variations between metal contents in dry season and rainy season. Metal evaluation indices (MEI) indicated spatial and seasonal variations. Degree of metallic contamination computed showed that Cu and Fe were found to be in very high degree in both seasons.

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