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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 10, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2022

DOI:10.14738/aivp.101.11505. Offodile, O. P., & Onwualu-John, J. N. (2022). Geochemical Assessment of Some Water Resources in Obio Akpor and Port Harcourt,

Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 298-312.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Geochemical Assessment of Some Water Resources in Obio Akpor

and Port Harcourt, Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

Offodile, O. P.

Department of Geology, Federal University of Technology

Owerri, Nigeria

Onwualu-John, J. N.

Department of Geology, Faculty of Science

University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Assessment of heavy metal concentrations in water resources within Obio-Akpor

and Port Harcourt local government area of Rivers State in Niger Delta, Nigeria was

carried out. Five water samples were obtained from Station 1 surface water, four

water samples were acquired from Station 2 surface water and three groundwater

samples were obtained from Station 3. The physiochemical parameters analyzed

were pH, Temperature, Electrical conductivity, Total dissolved solids and Turbidity

while the heavy metals analyzed were Total Iron, Lead, Copper, Nickel, Manganese,

Zinc, Chromium, Cadmium and Cobalt. The analysis shows that the pH value for

Station 1 ranges from 4.73 - 6.25, Station 2 pH value ranges from 5.72- 6.27 and

Station 3 pH value ranges from 4.55 - 5.55. The mean concentration of heavy metals

in Station 1 shows an increasing order of Cd>Cr>Co>Cu>Fe>Pb>Mn>Zn>Ni. The

mean concentration of heavy metals for Station 1 shows that Lead (0.771mg/l) and

Nickel (0.2522mg/l) are above the WHO and SON standards. The mean

concentration of heavy metals in Station 2 shows an increasing order of

Cd>Cr>Pb>Cu>Ni≥Co>Fe>Zn>Mn. The mean concentration of heavy metals for

Station 2 shows that Lead (0.02325mg/l) and Nickel (0.035mg/l) are above the

WHO and SON standard. The mean concentration of heavy metals obtained in the

Station 3 shows an increasing order of Cd≥Cr>Ni≥Co>Fe>Mn>Zn>Pb>Cu. The mean

concentration of heavy metals for Station 3 shows that Lead (0.044333mg/l) is

above the WHO and SON standard. Water quality and pollution index shows that the

water quality in all the Station is not suitable for consumption. Pollution index

indicates that in station 1 and 2, Nickel and lead are the major pollutants in the

water while in station 3, lead is the only major pollutant in the water. In as much as

these heavy metals are accumulating, over time they become highly toxic to health.

Key Words: Heavy Element, Hazardous, Water Resources, Unfit

INTRODUCTION

Heavy metal concentrations in the environment has been a major challenge especially in a

developing and developed countries. Excessive accumulation of heavy metal in the

environment can result to toxicity which can affect human health and the environment. The

entrance of heavy metal into human being can be through ingestion, inhalation and contacts.

Some of the heavy metals are vital to human health but they become hazardous when their

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299

Offodile, O. P., & Onwualu-John, J. N. (2022). Geochemical Assessment of Some Water Resources in Obio Akpor and Port Harcourt, Niger Delta

Basin, Nigeria. European Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(1). 298-312.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.101.11505

tolerable limit in the body are exceeded. When the tolerable limit of the heavy metal is exceeded

in the body, it can result to skin irritation, brain disorders, hormone imbalance, cardiovascular

problems, kidney diseases, infertility, hair loss, respiratory and digestive problems, cancer and

death.

Some of the activities that are going on within the study area (figure 1) are burning of tyres for

hide and skin, disposal of refuse in the water channels, waste water from houses, auto mobile

workshops, car wash, abattoirs, ducking of Workboat/Berge in the River. These activities

contributed to the level of the heavy metal in the water. Some of these metals are dissolve in

the water and play some vital roles in the electrical conductivity and turbidity of the water.

Industrial discharges in and around creeks and rivers constitutes to environmental

degradations (Moslen and Daka 2016) especially in the hydrosphere. Improper and low

environmental hygiene have the tendency to affect the water quality and the health of the

consumers (Dan et al.,2018)

Waste dumps on the roads and creek banks are being washed into the river during the flood,

these affect and alter the physiochemical composition of the water. Quality of surface water was

affected by the influx of waste which occurred as a result of flooding (Ogbonna, et al, 2007).

Kanga et al., (2021) documented that anthropogenic causes have posed much problems to

water resources around the world. Marc et al., (2017) documented that water is a source of

disease when polluted. Some of the heavy metals and other contaminants infiltrate into the

ground water and alter the original compositions of the underground water. This research

evaluates the heavy metal concentrations, its effect on health as well as the portability of the

ground water of the study area.

Figure 1. Map showing the study area, sample points and environment