Analysis of Heavy Metal Contents in Pindiga Dams, Akko LGA, Gombe State, Nigeria: Implications for Human Consumption

Abstract

The study assessed the concentration of some heavy metals in the two dams in Pindiga Community of Akko LGA, Gombe State. Water samples were collected randomly at the major entry point of each dam giving 2 water samples for rainy season only. The water samples collected were fed into 2 liters plastic containers and labeled for laboratory analysis. 3ml nitric acid were added into each collected water sample to avoid biochemical reaction. Handheld Geographically Positioning System (GPS) was employed during samples collection. The Laboratory analysis was conducted at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, National Water Quality Reference Laboratory Gombe, Gombe State. The following metals (Al, Ca, Mg, Mn, As, Cu, Fe, Cd, Pb, Zn, Na, Cl) were analyzed in the water samples and the concentration of each metal was determined and the values were compared with the permissible limit provided by Nigerian Standard for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). The results showed that Aluminum (Al) was detected in both dams, Madagasca (15.50mg/l) and Earth dam (0.70mg/l) and were both above the permissible limit (0.20mg/l). Calcium. (Ca) was detected at both dams, Madagasca (8.50mg/l) and Earth dam (9.00mg/l). Both were below the permissible limit (180mg/l). Magnesium (Mg) was detected at both dams, Madagasca (3.02mg/l) and Earth dam (6.55mg/l), and both were below permissible limit. Manganese (Mn) was detected at Madagasca (4.60mg/l) which was above the permissible limit. Arsenic (As) was only detected at Madagasca dam (0.03mg/l), it was below the permissible limit of (10.00mg/l). Copper was only detected at Madagasca dam (10.00mg/l), the concentration here is below permissible limit of 1000mg/l. Iron (Fe) was detected at both dams, Madagasca (6.00mg/l) and Earth dam (0.03mg/l). The result at Madagasca was above the permissible limit and objectionable for drinking while the concentration at the Earth dam was permissible since it is within the safety limit (0.03mg/l). Cadmiun (Cd) was only detected at the Madagasca dam (3.60mg/l) and it was above the permissible limit. Lead (Pb) was only detected at Madagasca dam (1.09mg/l) which is below permissible limit (10.00mg/l). Zinc (Zn) was only detected at Madagasca dam (0.07mg/l) which is below permissible limit. Floride (Fl) was detected at both dams, Madagasca has a value of 8.80mg/l which is above permissible and it is objectionable for human consumption while Earth dam has a value of 0.03mg/l which is below permissible (1.50mg/l). Sodium (Na) was only detected at the Earth dam (8.00mg/l), both values were below permissible limit (200mg/l). Chromium (Cl) was detected at the Earth dam (0.03mg/l), both were within the permissible limits (0.03mg/l). However, Aluminum, manganese, Iron, Cadmuin and Flouride were above permissible limit and can cause several diseases like kidney failure, spinal cord and nervous system diseases etc. All other elements were either not detected, far below or within the expected permissible limit. The study recommends provision of tap water and boreholes, boiling and filtration of water before consumption and proper hospital wastes disposal.