Determination of Heavy Metals in Blood, Urine and Water Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer and Fluoride Using Ion-Selective Electrode

Abstract

This study was conducted in Maiduguri Metropolis of Borno State, Nigeria. The levels of fluoride, cadmium, arsenic, lead and nickel were determined in sachet, tap and ground water. The levels of fluoride and some heavy metals were also determined in blood and urine samples with respect to age groups. The sample collection and preparation were carried out using standard procedures. The concentrations of the heavy metals were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (ICPAES), while fluoride was determined Potentiometrically Using Ion-Selective Electrode. The results of this study showed that the concentration of fluoride was highest in male subject with a value of 1.65 mg/l within the age group of 51-60, while the lowest concentration of 0.02 mg/l was observed in female subject within the age group of 1-10. The concentrations of the metals studied in blood samples from male subject were significantly higher than in the female subject. The concentrations of these metals were significantly higher at an age group of 51-60, while the age group 1-10 showed the lowest concentrations. It was also observed that the concentration of fluoride in urine samples from male subject increased significantly with increase in age (P<0.05). The concentration of fluoride in borehole water from Gamboru, Bolori, Mairi and Gwange ward ranged between 0.02 mg/l and 0.01 mg/l, 0.04 mg/l and 0.11 mg/l Ni, 0.05 mg/l and 0.07 mg/l Cd, while for tap water the concentration of fluoride ranged from (0.034 to 0.73 mg/l), (0.026 to 0.54 mg/l)As, (0.15 to 0.24 mg/l)Pb, (0.08 to 0.22 mg/l)Ni, and (0.12 to 0.31 mg/l)Cd. Similarly for sachet water (Hauwa, Madube, Mustapha and Rahama waters) the concentration of fluoride ranged between 0.01 mg/l and 0.06 mg/l, 0.01 mg/l and 0.03 mg/l As, 0.001 mg/l to 0.05 mg/lPb, 0.01 mg/l and 0.0007 mg/l Ni, 0.01 mg/l to 0.05 mg/l Cd. The highest concentration of Cd in borehole water was observed in Mairi, while the lowest concentration of F was in Gamboru. Similarly, the concentration of F in tap water was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Bolori, while Ni showed the lowest concentration in Gamboru. From the above results, the concentrations of all the metals in the water samples were lower than those of the blood and urine samples, this is possible because; metals can be accumulated and concentrated in human bodies. Hence, it may be concluded that the water samples consumed by these inhabitants might not be responsible for the presence of these studied metal in the blood and urine samples.

Pesticide residues in water, sediment and fish from Tono Reservoir and their health risk implications

“…Organophosphorus pesticide residues were below the prescribed MRL set by FAO/WHO in all fish samples. Similar work conducted in Nigeria by Akan et al (2014) reported significantly higher concentrations of chlorpyrifos (ranging from 0.77 to 2.22 µg/g) in fish tissues than those detected in this study.…”

“…The maximum mean concentration of aldrin occurred in M. senegalensis while the minimum level was found in S. galilaeus . Research has shown that aldrin is readily converted into dieldrin in plant and animal tissues and also, aldrin photolysis to dieldrin in the environment (Akan et al 2014). It can therefore be stated that the presence of aldrin without it’s metabolite in this study was an indication of recent use of aldrin within the Tono catchment even though the use of this pesticide is completely banned in Ghana.…”

“…Studies have shown that OC pesticides tend to accumulate more in aquatic organisms and they substantially settle on the sediments (Akan et al 2014). The result of this study indicates that OC pesticide residues were present in varying amounts in different species of fish and sediments sampled from Tono Reservoir.…”

Determination of Heavy Metals in Urine of Patients and Tissue of Corpses by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy

“…A similar trend was observed for the female control urine sample where higher concentrations of Pb (0.235 ± 0.017 µg mL −1 ) and Zn (0.716 ± 0.035 µg mL −1 ) were recorded. However, the concentrations of Cd (Male: 0.035 ± 0.012 µg mL −1 , Female: 0.026 ± 0.018) and Pb from this study were lower compare with (Cd: 0.38 mg L −1 and Pb: 0.03 mg L −1 ) in urine control samples (male and female) studied in Maiduguri, Nigeria [13].…”

“…Sani and Abdullahi determined heavy metals concentration in body fluids (blood and urine) of metal workers in Kano metropolis, Nigeria to monitor occupational activities and concluded that the workers are at health risks due to the high concentration of the metals [12]. Other recent reports on levels of heavy metals in urine, blood and water samples have also been documented [13][14][15]. However, heavy metals determination in human kidney, liver and lungs are very scarce as compared to that of animal's specimen.…”