Heavy Metal Contamination of Well Water
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
To determine the heavy metal contaminants such as pb, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Mn,and Cr in well water sample collected from onu-asata, obiagu, Enugu.
To ascertain the level of heavy metals contaminants in the well water sample.
To educate the people using the water on the health impacts of the water depending on the level of heavy metals present in it.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
WATER QUALITY
Water quality refers to the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of water. It involves the process of evaluation of the physical, chemical and biological nature in relation to nature quality of the water (whether stream, rain etc), human effect and intended uses; particularly, uses which may affect human health and aquatic lives.
The most common standards used to asses water quality relates to health of ecosystem, safety of human contact and drinking water quality depends on the local geology and ecosystem as well as human uses such as use of water bodies as sink. [Johnson et al, 1994].
The parameters for water quality are determined by the intended use. Water quality tends to focus on water that is treated for human consumption, water for industrial use or for the environment. Water contaminants that may be present in untreated water microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria, inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, organic chemical contaminants from industrial processes and petroleum uses, pesticides, herbicides and radioactive contaminants. Water quality standards have been established to regulate substances that potentially affect human health, environmental health and anesthetic qualities of water.
The world Health organization guidelines for Drinking water standard, United States specification for drinking water and European Union specification for drinking water are among the recognized water quality bodies.
Dissolved minerals may affect suitability of water for a range of industrial and domestic purposes. The most familiar of these is the presence of ions of calcium and magnesium which interferes with the cleaning action of soap and can form hard sulphates and soft carbonate deposits on heaters and boilers hard water may be softened by removing these ions (Paul, 2001).
Environmental water quality also called ambient water quality relates to the water bodies such as Lakes Rivers and oceans.
Water quality standard for surface water vary significantly due to the different environment conditions, ecosystem and intended human use. Toxic substances and high population of certain microorganism can present a health hazard for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation, swimming, fishing, rafting, boating and industrial uses. These conditions may also affect wild life which uses the water for drinking or as a habitat (Roosbroeck et al; 2006).
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MATERIALS
Equipment/Apparatus
Electronic/Apparatus balance
Measuring cylinder
Conical flasks
Beakers
Funnel
whet man No 1 filter paper
Ultra violet-visible spectrophotometer (Uv-1601 skim adzu).
Test tubes
Hand gloves
Reagents
Ammonium hydroxide (NH4 OH)
Distilled water
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
Sodium acetate
EDTA (Ethylene diamine tetracetic Acid)
O-phenolphthalin
Potassium cyanide
Sodium sulphate
Sample collection and treatment
The well water sample was collected from onu- asata well water with 1 litre of gallon which was sterilized with HCL before collection to rid the container of any contaminants. A drop of HCL was added to the well water sample for prevention against microbial invasion and to retain the nutrient in the sample. The sample was transported to the laboratory in a cooler lined with ice block so as to help maintain the well water normal temperature which is 28ocelcius.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT
Table 4.1: The heavy metal composition of onu-asata well water.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
DISCUSSION
The heavy metal concentration of onuasata well water is presented in table.
The concentration of lead (Pb) in the well water is (2.2 mg/L) which is higher than the value stated by SON (0.01mg/L) and WHO (0.01mg/L). The high level of lead in the well water from onu-asata well water may be as a result of the direct release of domestic waste containing lead (Pb) from human activities close to the well water and vehicles exhausts. The concentration of iron in the water is higher than the value stated by WHO (1.0m/L) and that of SON (0.3mg/L) the concentration of Zinc in Onu-asata well water is (2.1m/L), The concentration of copper in the well water is (0.5mg/L), which is less than the value given by SON (1.0mg/L)and WHO (1.0mg/L), The concentration of Nickel in the well water is 0.2mg/L which is higher than the value given by WHO and SON .The concentration of Cadmium in the water is (0.001mg/L) while the value given by WHO is (0.004mg/L) are that of SON is (0.003mg/L), The concentration of cadmium is (0.001mg/L) in the well water from Onu-asata while the limit given by WHO are SON are 0.004m/L and 0.003mL respectively. The concentration of manganese (0.130mg/L) and chromium (0.020mg/L) in the Onu-asata also gave different concentration from the standard given by WHO (0.200mg/l and0.046mg/L) and SON(0.200mg/L and0.050mg/L) respectively
CONCLUSION
The heavy metal determination of Onu-asata well water has been carried out. The result of this analysis has shown that the well water contained several heavy metals at how concentration compared to the standard given by WHO and SON (standard organization of Nigeria). Onu-asata well water has high level of iron and lead compared to the value given by SON and WHO. This shows that it posses health risk if used without treatment
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that indiscriminate discharge of solid waste around the Onu-asata well water should be also watched so as to reduce the risk of heavy metal contamination of the well water.
Untreated onu-asata well water should not be used for drinking and cooking because the time required to cook; example pasta and vegetables may not heat long enough to kill certain bacteria which may upset the body system
REFERENCES
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