Assessment and Impacts of Metal Recycling on Groundwater Quality in Ogijo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential source of water supply globally. Recently, however, the groundwater environment is being threatened due to heavy metal contamination resulting from the indiscriminate use, storage, and disposal of toxic metal elements. This study evaluates heavy metals concentrations in groundwater systems close to a metal recycling industry in Ogun State, Nigeria. In the study, thirty-six (36) water samples were collected from boreholes within the vicinity of a metal recycling industry and analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Water samples collected had trace concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni); metal concentrations were highest in the borehole closest to the industry. Pb, Cr, and Mn concentrations were above the acceptable standards. The findings showed that the activities within metal recycling industries can potentially elevate toxic metal concentrations in groundwater water sources close to it if proper mitigation measures are not put in place.

Physicochemical Properties and Health Risks of Informal E-Waste Processing at Alaba International Market in Lagos, Nigeria

“…The concentration of Ca in this study was lower than that recorded in surface and pond water bodies around e-waste dump sites of Guzape, Karmo, and Kubuwa areas of Abuja, where the authors recorded Ca concentrations of 30.7, 35.4, and 24.8 mg/L respectively (Mukate et al, 2019). The concentration of Na in water samples contaminated by anthropogenic activities in rural east-central Illinois ranged from 0.8 to 12 mg/L, which was higher than what was reported in the present study (Balogun-Adeleye et al, 2022). Panno et al (2006) reported Pb concentrations in groundwater exceeding the WHO permissible limits for drinking water, with Pb concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 5.458 mg/L, which is higher than the Pb concentrations reported in the present study.…”

Pollution Status of Groundwater Resource by Some Heavy Metals Using Index Approach in Some Part of Nasarawa Area, Kano State, Nigeria

“…The most significant natural water resource on the planet is groundwater. In times of drought and when surface water sources are limited and precipitation patterns are uncertain, groundwater has shown to be an important source of water supply for a range of uses, including household, industrial, and irrigation (Saha and Ray, 2019;Rahmot et al, 2022). Around a third of people worldwide consider groundwater their main water source for various uses (FAO, 2017;Tsor et al, 2022).…”