Journal: Environmental Contaminants Reviews (ECR)
Author: Nwankwoala, H.O; Oyegun, V. O; Azuonwu Obi; Okujagu, D.C; Ohwoghere-Asuma, O, Akakuru, O.C

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Doi:10.26480/ecr.01.2024.43.53

ABSTRACT

This study was aimed at assessing the groundwater physicochemical characteristics and concentrations of toxic metals from hydrocarbon impacted communities in Ikwe-onna and Ibeno Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria. A total of 45 water samples were collected from 15 boreholes within the study area using strict/standard sample collection procedure. Samples were taken to the laboratory, prepared and analyzed for toxic metal content using the ttomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). All physical parameters were analyzed in-situ while chemical properties were analyzed in the laboratory. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. The concentration of Lead in groundwater ranged from 0.02 to 0.65 mg/l. Average range of iron obtained was 0.03 – 0.50mg/l while the average range of cadmium recorded from the 15 sampling locations was from 0.064±0.05 to 0.145±0.0099 mg/l. The mean range of Zinc was from 0.0457±0.00067 – 0.2513±0.025 mg/l. Manganese mean concentration ranged from 0.0917±0.074 – 0.2667±0.058mg/l. mean range of copper range from 0.01 to 0.43mg/l. Mean values for Arsenic were between 0.0012±0.00072 to 0.0061±0.0087mg/l. Al level in groundwater from Ikwe-Onna as 0.01 to 0.13mg/l. Results of physicochemical parameters indicates that temperature and dissolved oxygen were slightly higher than the regulatory standards. This study recommends frequent quality evaluation of groundwater to prevent water quality deterioration.

KEYWORDS
groundwater, trace metals, hydrocarbon, boreholes, Ikwe-Onna, Akwa Ibom State