Evaluation of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Borehole Water from Talata Mafara Metropolis, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The levels of heavy metal concentrations and some physico-chemical parameters in two samples of borehole water from Talata Mafara metropolis in Talata Mafara Local Government of Zamfara State, Nigeria were determined. The physico-chemical parameters were evaluated using standard procedures while elemental analysis was conducted using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The samples have a relatively neutral pH (6.54, 6.83) while electrical conductivity (3.30±0.03 and 3.23±0.03 µS/cm), turbidity (9.99±0.34 and 9.22±0.31 NTU), phosphorus (0.11, 0.12), DO (8.52±0.32 and 8.06±0.18mg/L), COD (1.99±0.02 and 1.58±0.01 mg/L) and BOD (2.25±1.21 and1.85±0.81mg/L) were all below the maximum allowable limits approved by the World Health Organization resulting in a high quality index for the studied samples. However, lead (0.345±0.04 and 0.332±0.04 mg/L for AGP and LCH respectively) was found to be higher than the levels recommended by WHO. On the other hand, iron, nickel and zinc were not detected in both samples whereas cadmium (0.039±0.023 and 0.435±0.075 mg/L), chromium (0.027±0.030 and 0.177±0.003 mg/L) and copper (0.047±0.007 and 0.031±0.021 mg/L) were all below the WHO permissible limit. Manganese is, however, higher (0.032±0.002 mg/L) than the recommended levels in LCH. This led to the conclusion that while the community is not in any immediate danger, prolonged usage could result in exposure.