Assessment of Heavy Metal Status of Boreholes in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria

Type Journal Article - Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management
Title Assessment of Heavy Metal Status of Boreholes in Calabar South Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria
Author(s)
Volume 5
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2012
Page numbers 86-91
URL http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ejesm/article/viewFile/74188/64840
Abstract
Although, many heavy metals are necessary in small amounts for the normal development of the
biological cycles, most of them become toxic at high concentrations. The major sources of heavy
metal pollution in urban areas of Nigeria are anthropogenic, while contamination from natural
sources predominates in the rural areas. The study examined heavy metal status of boreholes in
Calabar South, Cross River of Nigeria. Four functional boreholes in the area were sampled. Result
showed that the concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) were within WHO
maximum permissible limit with mean values of 0.065ml-1g, 0.015mgl-1 and 0.002mgl-1
respectively. The proportion of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in the sampled boreholes
was zero, indicating the absence of these metals in the sampled boreholes. The absolutely low
levels of heavy metal contents across the sampled boreholes showed they were not polluted and
as such suitable for human consumption. The low content also revealed that boreholes in the area
were located far away from dumpsites; soak away pits, automobile shops and other forms of
heavy metal contaminants. In order to maintain quality status of boreholes in the area, routine
monitoring and assessment of boreholes mostly the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes in the
area by sanitary inspection officers was suggested

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