Abstract
Copper toxicity in the ecosystems have becomes a global concern in recent times; therefore, there is need to curtail the increment of copper concentration within the environment. In this study, a total of 67 ground water samples were collected from the premises of Delta State Polytechnic, Ozoro, at a depth of 90 cm. The water samples were collected during the peak of the rainy season (September 2019); when the water table of the study area was very high, close to the soil surface. Copper concentration of all the water samples collected was measured using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that copper concentration in the study ranged between 1.01 mg/L and 2.105 mg/L. The spatial distribution of the copper concentration within the study area was determined using Geostatistical tool. Variation map developed from the results showed that the copper concentration does not spread uniformly across the study area. High copper concentration was generally recorded at the North Eastern and central parts of the school; while low copper concentration was recorded at the South Eastern part of the school. Furthermore, the results strongly showed that waste dump potentially affects the copper concentration of the ground water within the study area. This study results advocated the need for proper waste disposal with the polytechnic environment, and the adequate treatment of the groundwater before human consumption.
Highlights
Heavy metals pollution is one of the major global environmental problems, which contribute immensely to the contamination of the ecosystems [1]
The results obtained in this study showed that copper concentration of the groundwater within the study area ranged between 2.105 mg/L and 1.01 mg/L
Variation map and Semivariogram plotted from the results (Figs. 2 and 3) depicted that the copper concentration was not uniformly distributed across the study area
Summary
Heavy metals pollution is one of the major global environmental problems, which contribute immensely to the contamination of the ecosystems [1]. This is because they are elusive invisibility, persistent and irreversible, as well as highly toxic [2,3]. Heavy metals are transmitted to the plant’s system either through direct assimilation by the plant’s roots system; or assimilation by the plant’s leaves through foliar application using the contaminated water. In human beings and animals, heavy metals are transmitted into their body system either through consumption of the contaminated plants, or through direct/indirect consumption of the contaminated water [7,8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
