Assessment of some micronutrients levels in domestic water sources in Esan, Edo State

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the micronutrients in domestic water sources in Esan land, Edo State, Nigeria, where pipe borne water is rare, and communities rely on alternative sources of water for drinking and domestic purposes. Water samples from boreholes, rivers, and underground rain water reservoirs in the upper and lower plateau of Esan land, were collected to determine the levels of Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn). Samples from Ikogosi Warm spring (IKWS) in Ekiti State, Nigeria, served as control. The results showed that Selenium levels were below detectable limits. Fe was significantly higher for Ekpoma borehole samples (0.48 ± 0.06; p = 0.00), followed by river water samples from the upper Esan plateau (0.41 ± 0.03; p=0.01). Zn levels in samples from the lower Esan plateau river, was significantly higher (0.43 ± 0.02; P=0.00) in comparison with the control. Cobalt was significantly higher for river samples in the lower plateau and upper plateau. Cr, Cu and Mn levels however, were not statistically significant in the study area; suggesting that water from most of these sources in Esan land, would surely be safer if subjected to appropriate water treatment.