Analysis of drinking ground water samples for heavy metals in Onitsha North local government area of Anambra State

摘要

This study analysed five heavy metals in some drinking ground water samples in Onitsha North local government area. A total of 10 ground water samples were analysed to determine arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron and lead content using Varian AA240 atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine their suitability as drinking water. From the results obtained, none of the water samples contained iron and copper in concentrations above the maximum permissible limit. All the samples contained arsenic in concentration above the maximum permissible limit. The maximum concentration of lead obtained was 3.955mg/l and that of cadmium was 0.326mg/l which were above the maximum permissible limit. All the samples analysed contained one or more of the five heavy metals studied. The results obtained from this study suggest a significant risk to the population drinking the water given the toxicity of these metals and the fact that these boreholes are the only source of water supply in this environment.