Spectrometric Determination of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Copper and Iron in Drinking Water Samples Across Kogi State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic copper and iron in 25 water samples collected from across Kogi State. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used in the determination of copper, iron, lead and cadmium while UV-visible spectrophotometer was employed in the determination of arsenic, based on the formation of Molybdoarsenate. The ranges of mean values obtained for the heavy metals are: Arsenic (0.0014to 0.0252 mg/L), Copper (0.0013to 0.0095 mg/L), Lead (0.0001to 0.024 mg/L), Cadmium (0.003 to 0.072 mg/L) and Iron (0.0068 to 0.1242 mg/L). The results revealed that the River, Stream and Tap water sampled were contaminated with Arsenic (As), whereas, the levels of Fe, Cu and Pb were within the recommended limit set by WHO and NAFDAC. Though the level of cadmium (Cd) falls within acceptable limit in some of water samples, its high concentration in Isanlu should attract the attention of the authority in this area in curbing the growing threat.