Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Stream Water and Their Cytotoxic Effects on Allium Cepa Around Ibobo Coalmine, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The Ibobo coal mine is an abandoned mine located in the middle belt of Nigeria and lies in the Ajali Formation within the Anambra Basin. The adjoining rivers and streams in this community serve as sources of water for human consumption and plant use. The study was conducted in January 2016 at the peak of the dry season. Major and trace elements were measured in the water samples collected and subjected to the following analysis; conductometry and electro-analytical techniques for physical parameters; titrimetry and spectrophotometry for anions; and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the cations. Further study was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the water samples from plants and other living organisms using the root meristems of Allium cepa (onion). This study revealed that the average concentrations of Iron (0.344mg/L), Lead (0.024 mg/L) and Cadmium (0.004 mg/L) are higher than the maximum permissible limits of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for domestic and drinking water qualities. Water from the streams should, therefore, be discouraged for both domestic and agricultural purposes through public health awareness program.

Keywords: Physico-chemical analysis, spectrophotometry, TDS, Allium cepa, Mamu Formation, Cytotoxic

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-6-07

Publication date:June 30^th 2019