Heavy Metal Determination of Surface and Ground Water in a University Community, SouthEast Nigeria

Abstract

The pollution of drinking water with heavy metals has always presented serious public and environmental health challenges. The World Health Organization provides regulatory standards of permissible limits for heavy metal concentrations in water meant for consumption purposes. The present study assessed the concentrations of cadmium , lead , manganese , copper , zinc , iron , arsenic , and mercury in groundwater and surface water sources at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, using a Varian AA240 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer according to APHA (1995) methods. The findings of the study were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) permissible limits, which revealed that that cadmium, lead, and mercury exceeded WHO standards in most of the sampling points, while zinc and iron were above acceptable limits in a few locations. The concentrations of manganese and copper were within safe limits with the exception of B Hostel and Nworie midstream (manganese), and English/1000 capacity building for zinc. Statistical analysis by t-test indicated that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) between heavy metal levels in surface and groundwater sources, with the exception of As (p = 0.0287), which suggests equivalent contamination route, likely to come from infiltration of polluted drainage or percolated liquid into groundwater reservoir The overall pollution levels indicate that most water samples in the study area are unsafe for direct consumption and may pose long-term health risks including neurological, renal, and carcinogenic effects. There should be continuous monitoring and proper treatment of water sources to protect public health.