A survey of the presence and quantity of heavy metals in water sources at and around the Auto Mechanic village at Lafia Junction, North Bank, Makurdi, Benue State.

Abstract

This study was carried out with the objectives of accurately determining the effect of the metal activity that goes on in the study area on the water sources in the  area. Thus fifteen samples were collected from five different sites such that: three samples each were collected from three shallow strategically situated hand drawn wells in the study area: three samples were systematically drawn from three different locations along the shallow stream that flows east-west in the study area; and three samples were drawn from the only functional bore hole well in the study area. The fifteen samples were systematically homogeneously merged for sample digestion and AAS analysis into three samples: samples S_t. (Stream water samples): samples W_t, (well water samples), and samples BH, (bole hole water samples).     Parameters like conductivity, pH and TDS were tested on the site while TSS and sample preparation and digestion were carried out in the laboratory. The heavy metal presence and quantity was determined after proper samples preparation and digestion via Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ASS) analysis.  The results of the study showed that pH values for the surface water samples, (samples S_t,) were within the limits as recommended by NWQGS and WHO  however  the values from the well water samples (samples Wt₁) and the bore hole well water samples (samples BH) were slightly below the recommended pH.

Keywords: Quality, standards ,  survey , village, water.