Levels of some chemical species in water of boreholes situated near dumpsites in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Rumoulumeni, P.M.B. 5047, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2021, 12(02), 202–211
Publication history:
Received on 26 September 2021; revised on 06 November 2021; accepted on 08 November 2021
Abstract:
The concentration of six chemical species Pb, Cd, As, nitrates, fluorides and sulphates in the groundwater (borehole) samples were investigated in four boreholes sited close to a dumpsite in Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Nitrates, fluorides and sulphates were analyzed using standard conventional methods while the heavy metals were determined and analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The mean values obtained for the different chemical species within the months of investigation for the stations were in the range: lead; 0.012±0.001-0.015±0.000mg/L, with an average of 0.013±0.001mg/L within the months, Cd; 0.004±0.002-0.005±0.001mg/L, with an average of 0.005±0.001mg/L within the months, As; 0.002±0.001-0.003±0.002mg/L, with an average of 0.003±0.001mg/L within the months, nitrates; 0.413±0.172-0.730±0.691mg/L, with an average of 0.511±0.139mg/L within the months, fluorides; 0.004±0.001-0.006±0.001mg/L, with an average of 0.005±0.001mg/L within the months and sulphates; 0.197±0.046-0.338±0.072mg/L, with an average of 0.290±0.055mg/L within the months. These values obtained for the different chemical species showed that the boreholes sited near the dumpsite were still at the level that will not pose any health risk to the user, for their concentrations were still within limits allowed by WHO and USEPA. Even though the government and its agencies should regulate the mode of dumping of refuse and also the siting of boreholes so that the groundwater will not be polluted.
Keywords:
Boreholes; Chemical species; Dumpsites; Groundwater; Rumuolumeni
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