Abstract
The investigation of the degree of trace heavy metals contamination in groundwater wells in Onitsha Southeast Nigeria, was carried out based on 20 preselected sample locations. The result of the analysis revealed water of relatively high acidity with pH ranging from 4.93 t0 6.94. The EC values for the analysed water samples ranged from 10.80 to 60.90u while TDS ranges from 20.00 to 410.00.Heavy metals in the form of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Vanadium (V) and Copper (Cu) were analyzed for their concentration in the water samples of the area. The study revealed that the mean value of Fe (0.832000 ± 1.0626228ppm) and Cd (0.043750 ± 0.0181713ppm) exceeded the permissible limit for NSDWQ water quality standard as indicated by the high concentrations of Fe and Cd values observed in water samples of the study area. The concentrations of the heavy metals except Fe and Cd range from Ni (0.000 – 0.750),(Cu 0.00 - 0.105), (Zn 0.00 – 1.798), (Cr 0.002 – 0.046), (As 0.000 – 0.056) and (Va 0.000 - 0.008). The spatial distribution of the heavy metals in the area shows that the eastern part of the study area has relative high concentration of the heavy metals which is attributed to anthropogenic impacts.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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
