Evaluation of heavy metals concentration in groundwater around Kashere and its environs, upper Benue trough, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

This research examined the levels of heavy metals in boreholes and hand dug wells within Kashere town and environs. The sampling was carried out at 10 locations in Kashere area of Gombe state. Five samples were collected from boreholes and five from hand dug wells and analyzed for some heavy metals (copper, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel and manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result shows that there is high concentration of most of the heavy metals in the groundwater samples with Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd having mean concentrations above the maximum limit set by W.H.O. It was recommended that a systematic treatment of heavy metals concentration in groundwater sources in the study area be carried out regularly either through; Chemical precipitation, ion exchange or Reverse osmosis.

KEYWORDS: Groundwater; Heavy metals; Boreholes; Hand dug wells; Concentration; AAS, HPI