Determination of physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals in water samples from Itaogbolu area of Ondo-State, Nigeria

Water samples from selected hand-dug wells and Ona River in Itaogbolu area of Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria were collected, physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals were determined using standard analytical procedure. The results of the physico-chemical analysis were obtained in the following range; PH (6.59-7.68), temperature (21.10-27.10oC), conductivity (300-1150 ƒÊ/cm), chloride (78.10-156.20 mg/l), total hardness (130-298 mg/l), sulphate (82.50-97.00 mg/l), TDS (0.02-0.09%) and alkalinity (0.92-2.45 mg/l). The highest value of physico-chemical parameters (compared with wells) was obtained in Ona River. The concentration of heavy metals (mg/l) in the well and Ona river samples were found in the following range; Zn (5.5-9.2), Cr (ND-0.4), Pb (ND-0.2),Cu (ND-0.4), Ni (ND-0.1) and Fe (0.1-5.3). Cadmium was not detected at all in all water samples. The results obtained fell within the maximum allowable limit set by World Health Organization for drinking water except for water from Ona river

Effect of leaching on heavy metals concentration of soil in some dumpsites

Study on the effect of leaching on heavy metals concentration at dumpsites was conducted by analyzing samples of soil collected from different dumpsites located within Ikere and Ado Ekiti metropolis, South Western Nigeria. The samples were analyzed for concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ni, Sn and Zn. Control soil samples were taken at 200 m away from the last sampling point on each dump site down the slope and were also analyzed for the presence of these heavy metals. The results of the analyses show a significant difference in the concentration of these metals from the centre of each dumpsite at interval of 10 – 70 m down the slope (p < 0.05). The dumpsites were found to contain significant amount of toxic heavy metals. Hence, phytoremediation processes were suggested.Key words: Leaching, heavy metals, soil, dumpsites