Concentration of Heavy Metals in the Soils near Some Mechanic Villages in Abeokuta Metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Soils and water bodies near auto mechanic village (MV) contain heavy metals, which pollute the environments and are hazardous to human and environmental health. Assessment of heavy metal concentration in three replicate soil and water samples from three MVs (Fajol, Id-Aba and Kotopo) in Abeokuta metropolis in Nigeria was conducted. Heavy metal concentrations in topsoil of the MVs showed copper ranging from 0.02 mgkg-1 in the topsoil at Idi-Aba MV to 126.89 mgkg-1 for topsoil at Kotopo MV. The level of copper detected in Kotopo MV soil is however higher than the allowable limits for Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. Mean concentration of zinc in soils of the MVs were 2.89, 0.91 and 86.23 mgkg-1 respectively for Fajol, Idi-Aba and Kotopo MV respectively. Metal enrichment factor indicated that the contamination degree ranged from unpolluted to moderately polluted areas. Copper is the most enriched metal in the soil of the MVs especially at Kotopo MV. Relative abundance of the metals in the topsoil (0-15cm) in Fajol MV follow the order Zn > Ni> Cr >Pb >Cu > Co> Cd.  For the Idi-Aba MV, relative abundance is in the order Ni > Zn > Cr > Pb> Cu > Co and Cd, and that of Kotopo MV was Cu >Zn> Pb > Ni > Cr, Co and Cd. Mean heavy metal in the water samples were lower than those found in the soils of the MVs. Stream water near the Kotopo MV had the highest concentration of most metals. Zinc had the highest mean concentration of 2.02 mgL-1 while copper was 1.09 mgL-1.  There is an urgent need to put measures in place to monitor the activities in these MVs in order to safeguard peoples’ health environmental integrity

Physicochemical and microbiological examination of hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water sources in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined some physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of some water sources and evaluates their health implications in selected areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Forty (40) water samples were collected into 1-litre plastic kegs from hand-dug wells, boreholes and public water points between June 12 and July 11, 2014. Samples were analysed for physical, chemical and microbial parameters using standard procedures. Well-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information on sanitation conditions in the areas. Electrical conductivity in many of the sampled water were higher than the recommended limit, while TDS were within the desirable limit of 200 mg/l except for the borehole at Ita-Baale Borehole (IB) and hand dug well at Oke-Aare (OAH). Microbial assessment of water samples in most areas confirmed the presence of vibrio species due to faecal pollution. Bacterial isolates identified in some of the water samples were Enterobacter cloaca, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomaonas fluorescens and Salmonella spp. The study revealed that sanitary facilities including toilets and improved latrines are lacking in many areas. Hand dug wells had the highest frequency of occurrence pollutants and bacteria due to their close proximity to pit latrines. The study concluded that residents in the study area are exposed to polluted water sources, which pose serious threat their health. This study added to the existing data on the inadequacy of sanitation in urban centres in the country hence the need for increased effort in the provision of more cleaner and well protected water sources such boreholes and piped-borne water.Keywords: Hygiene, microbial contamination, sanitation, urban slums, water quality, healt

Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) on Selected Dumpsites in Abeokuta Metropolis, SW, Nigeria

Knowledge of the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) in urban soils remains insufficient in developing countries like Nigeria despite their toxic effects and suspected human carcinogens, mutagens and endocrine disruption. This study aimed to determine the concentration of PAHs in soil of three dumpsites in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. Concentrations of individual PAHs were determined using Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The total PAHs concentrations at 0-15 cm depth were 29.0 mg kg-1, 41.6 mg kg-1 and 11.9 mg kg-1 for Igbore, Saje and Alogi dumpsites respectively while the corresponding total PAHs concentrations at 15-30 cm depth were 9.3 mg kg-1, 28.3 mg kg-1 and 11.0 mg kg-1 respectively. These concentrations were slightly lower than the Dutch guideline limits of 40 mg kg-1 except for that of Saje at 0-15 cm depth. The amounts of fluoranthene at Igbore dumpsite in the two depths were 23.64 mg kg-1 and 8.02 mg kg-1, with a total sum of 10 PAHs compounds of 19.12 mg kg-1. The results showed that the highest concentration of a single PAHs compound was at Saje dump-site with fluoranthene value of 33.75 mg kg-1 and 22.74 mg kg-1 at the depths of 0-15 and 15-30 cm respectively. Isomer ratio for fluoranthene/pyrene was 2.69 at Alogi dumpsite, which suggested that the PAHs were from pyrogenic sources. Carcinogenic PAHs constituted about 1.29-15.69 % of the total PAHs detected in the dumpsite raising concerns of human exposure through the food chain