Heavy Metal Content of Water in Ikwu River (Umuahia, Nigeria): Pollution Indices and Health Risk Assessment Approach

Abstract

The heavy metal content of a local drinking water source in Southeast Nigeria was studied between January 2021 and June 2021 in 3 stations. Pollution indices (heavy metal pollution index and contamination index) and health risk assessment for non-carcinogenic were used to check the water’s suitability for human consumption. Eight heavy metals were assessed with standard methods and compared with The Nigerian Drinking Water Quality Standard. Some metals (Mn, Pb, Fe, Cd, and Cr) exceeded acceptable limits. The heavy metal pollution index exceeded the threshold value (100), ranging between 503.56 and 746.80. The contamination index ranged between 10.74 and 17.12 indicating high contamination potential and all the hazard indices exceeded unity (1). The heavy metal content, pollution indices, and health risk assessment has shown that the water from the Ikwu River was not fit for human consumption. The main metals that influenced the results were Mn, Pb, Fe, Cd, and Cr, because they exceeded limits while Cd and Cr were responsible for the observed adverse health risk. The children were more vulnerable. The geogenic influence was a major factor exacerbated by season and anthropogenic activities in the river.