Heavy metal characteristics of groundwater in Ibadan South Western, Nigeria

Abstract

Water, an essential commodity is consequently being affected by natural and human activities. Investigations were made on groundwater of the study area to evaluate the impact of heavy metals. Groundwater samples were collected and analyzed using Inductively coupled plasma- emission spectrometry method, at Acme laboratories Canada. Geochemical analysis revealed a significant concentration of increasing order K > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > As > Cd. Ca, Fe and K were above the WHO standard. Index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), revealed no contamination of the trace metals. Inter-elemental analysis showed a strong correlation between Cd to Zn (‘r’- 0.983) and Fe to Pb (‘r’- 0.900), indicating that the metals are governed by the same geochemical factors and are from the same anthropogenic source. Piezometric map revealed southwest direction of groundwater flow that shows direction of contamination influx. The study can then be concluded to be contaminated with Ca, Fe and K due to the impact of man’s activities in the environment. Public health effect of these metals could be anemia, kidney damage, brain damage, cancer and ultimately death.

Key words: Water, contamination degree, geochemical factors, public health, heavy metal.