Abstract
This research examined the levels of heavy metals in boreholes and hand dug wells within Kashere town and environs. The sampling was carried out at 10 locations in Kashere area of Gombe state. Five samples were collected from boreholes and five from hand dug wells and analyzed for some heavy metals (copper, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel and manganese) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result shows that there is high concentration of most of the heavy metals in the groundwater samples with Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd having mean concentrations above the maximum limit set by W.H.O. It was recommended that a systematic treatment of heavy metals concentration in groundwater sources in the study area be carried out regularly either through; Chemical precipitation, ion exchange or Reverse osmosis.KEYWORDS: Groundwater; Heavy metals; Boreholes; Hand dug wells; Concentration; AAS, HPI
Highlights
Water is one of the natural resources that support the existence of human beings and other living organisms on earth
The result of Physico-chemical and heavy metals analysis of ten (10) locations shows that the temperature of the water ranged from 35oC to 36oC (Table 1) which fall within the recommended standard for drinking water quality by WHO (2011)
The result obtained from the analysis indicate the order of concentration of the heavy metals detected in all water samples analyzed to be in the sequence of Pb>Ni>Cr>Cd>Mn>Cu
Summary
Water is one of the natural resources that support the existence of human beings and other living organisms on earth. Groundwater pollution is a gradual degradation in water quality through the addition of chemicals, heat or bacteria to a level that constitutes public health hazards, and affects it adversely in terms of domestic, agricultural, and industrial utilization (Akhilesh et’ al 2009, Musa et’ al, 2013).The water pollution by heavy metals has become a question of considerable public and scientific concern in the light of the evidence of their toxicity to human and biological system (Anazwa et al, 2004). Heavy metals are of great concern, due to their toxicity even at low concentrations (Marcovecchio, et al, 2007). These metals include: lead(Pb), cadmium(Cd), zinc(Zn), mercury(Hg), arsenic(As), silver(Ag), chromium(Cr), copper(Cu), iron(Fe), platinum(Pt) and manganese (Mn). The high level of heavy metals in natural water bodies can be attributed to some anthropogenic activities such as mining, fuels, farming and improper municipal waste disposal
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
