Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ______________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 1-5, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.Sci. International Science Congress Association 1 Assessment of Cadmium, Lead and Iron in Hand Dug Wells of Ilaro and Aiyetoro, Ogun State, South-Western Nigeria Eruola A.O., Ufoegbune G.C.1*, Eruola A.O. Awomeso J.A. and Abhulimen S.A.University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, NIGERIA Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State, NIGERIAAvailable online at: www.isca.in (Received 14th September 2011, revised 20th September 2011, accepted 20th October 2011)Abstract Cadmium, lead and iron in hand dug wells were assessed in Ilaro and Aiyetoro area of Ogun state. The mean ± S.D of the results obtained were cadmium 0.017±0.016 mg/l, lead 0.229±0.061 mg/l; Iron 1.076±2.393 mg/l. It was observed that all the parameters were higher than the standard limits specified for drinking water by WHO. Hence, the well water in the study location is unsuitable for drinking.Keywords: Hand dug well, mean, standard limits. Introduction Adequate water resources for future generations are not only a regional issue but also a global concern. Global environment now consists of numerous natural and artificial metals. Metals have played a critical role in industrial development and technological advances. Most metals are not destroyed; indeed, they are accumulating at an accelerated pace, due to the ever-growing demands of modern society. Quality drinking water is essential for life. Unfortunately, in many developing countries of the world, including Nigeria, good, portable and hygienic water has become a scarce commodity as only a small proportion of the populace has access to treated water. Hence, there is indiscriminate use of rainwater and ground water source for drinking and other domestic usage in most communities in the study area without prior knowledge of the quality of such water. These as led to health risks which is synonymous with the study area. Therefore, it becomes so important and necessary to investigate whether the levels of these inorganic contaminants (Cd, Pb and Fe) in hand dug wells in Ilaro and Aiyetoro are sufficient to affect the health of the inhabitants of the areas under investigation. Study Area: The Ilaro and Aiyetoro are among the major towns in Ogun state, Southwestern Nigeria (figure 1). Ilaro town is about 50 km from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and about 100 km from Ikeja, the capital city of Lagos State. While Aiyetoro is about 35km northwest of Abeokuta. Ilaro and Aiyetoro are situated in a flat and sloppy terrain in deciduous- derived savannah zone of Ogun State. The climate is sub-humid tropical with a longtime average annual rainfall of 1,350mm. The landform is that of eroded pediment plain with well-incised valleys forming a trellis pattern. The soils are developed over a deeply weathered layer of sedimentary rocks consisting of false bedded sandstones which underlies the area. The sediments are of lower cretaceous rocks or Abeokuta form. Figure-1 Ogun State showing the Study AreasMaterial and MethodsTen water samples each randomly selected from these study areas were analyzed for Cd, Pb and Fe from hand dug wells from the two locations during the rainy season when ground water intrusion is high. The well water samples were collected following standard procedure for sampling. The choice of the sampling locations was based on closeness to dumping site, proximity to residential area, closeness to cesspool, septic tanks and burial ground. The samples were tested for heavy metal (Cd, Pb and Fe) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ______ Vol. 1(9), 1-5, Dec. (2011) International Science Congress Association Result and Discussions Tables 1 and 2 showed the summary of the results of heavy metal concentration in hand dug wells in the study area. It was observed from result that most of these wells were not suitable for domestic purposes for which they are presently used for in some of the residential area in the study area. 82% of tested samples contain detectable amount of Heavy Metals Concentrations in Water Samples Sample Code LOCATION S01 Yidi road, Aiyetoro S02 Idagba, Aiyetoro S03 Oke- Oyinbo I, Aiyetoro S04 Oke- Oyinbo II, Aiyetoro S05 Idofoyi I, Aiyetoro S06 Saala, Aiyetoro S07 Ilupeju, Aiyetoro S08 Eemado, Aiyetoro S09 Joga, Aiyetoro S10 Joga, Ilaro road, Aiyetoro S11 Oke- ola, Ilaro S12 Express, Ilaro S13 Orita, Ilaro S14 Musa Street, Ilaro S15 Otegbeye, Ilaro S16 Lesli, Ilaro S17 Aderogu, Ilaro S18 Akiniku, Ilaro S19 Gbogodi, Ilaro S20 F.P.I, Ilaro  \n \r   \n \r   ______ _________________________________ ______________ International Science Congress Association Tables 1 and 2 showed the summary of the results of heavy metal concentration in hand dug wells in the study area. It was observed from result that most of these wells were not suitable for domestic purposes for which they are presently the residential area in the study area. 82% of tested samples contain detectable amount of cadmium with concentration above the maximum contaminant level (0.003mg/l) suggested by of concern because cadmium has carcinogenic properties as well as long biological half life result of accumulation in the liver and renal cortex also cause kidney damage as well as produce acute health effects resulting from over exposure to high concentrations Figure-2 Cadmium levels in water samples Table-1 Heavy Metals Concentrations in Water Samples LOCATION CORDINATE Cadmium (Mg/l) Yidi road, Aiyetoro N07.24684, E003.04405 0.027 Idagba, Aiyetoro N07.24353, E003.03804 0.025 Oyinbo I, Aiyetoro N07.24171, E003.00322 0.032 Oyinbo II, Aiyetoro N07.24126, E003.03219 0.040 Idofoyi I, Aiyetoro N07.24045, E003.02893 0.010 Aiyetoro N07.23607, E003.03031 0.010 Ilupeju, Aiyetoro N07.24071, E003.03539 ND Eemado, Aiyetoro N07.23775, E003.02617 0.007 Joga, Aiyetoro N07.23247, E003.02571 0.003 Joga, Ilaro road, Aiyetoro N07.22881, E003.02604 ND ola, Ilaro N06.89821, E003.00829 0.011 Express, Ilaro N06.89228, E003.99855 0.014 Orita, Ilaro N06.88520, E003.00235 0.012 Musa Street, Ilaro N06.89123, E003.01600 0.003 Otegbeye, Ilaro N06.89525, E003.01499 ND Lesli, Ilaro N06.88650, E003.01347 0.003 Aderogu, Ilaro N06.88329, E003.01118 0.018 Akiniku, Ilaro N06.88723, E003.02233 0.004 Gbogodi, Ilaro N06.87657, E003.00357 0.066 F.P.I, Ilaro N06.88972, E003.98886 0.008   \r  \r           ______________ _____ ISSN 2231-606X Res.J.Chem.Sci 2 cadmium with concentration above the maximum contaminant level (0.003mg/l) suggested by (fig.2). This is of concern because cadmium has carcinogenic properties as well as long biological half life leading to chronic effect as a result of accumulation in the liver and renal cortex 5,6. It can also cause kidney damage as well as produce acute health effects resulting from over exposure to high concentrations 7. Cadmium (Mg/l) Iron (mg/l) Lead mg/l 0.027 0.049 0.279 0.025 0.271 0.109 0.032 0.144 0.230 0.040 3.619 0.132 0.010 ND 0.181 0.010 ND 0.102 ND ND 0.199 0.007 0.009 0.294 0.003 ND 0.224 ND 0.131 0.208 0.011 ND 0.249 0.014 0.024 0.221 0.012 0.134 0.303 0.003 ND 0.262 ND ND 0.317 0.003 0.049 0.236 0.018 0.041 0.196 0.004 0.039 0.284 0.066 8.406 0.261 0.008 ND 0.291     Research Journal of Chemical Sciences ______ Vol. 1(9), 1-5, Dec. (2011) International Science Congress Association Statistical summary of the investigated heavy metal in well at the study area Variables Mean ± S.D (Range) Cadmium (mg/l) 0.017 ± 0.016 (0.003 Lead (mg/l) 0.229 ± 0.061(0.102 Iron (mg/l) 1.076 ± 2.393 (0.009 NOTE: MCL is Maximum Contaminant Level set by WHO    \n \r    \n \r  \n \r   ______ _________________________________ ______________ International Science Congress Association Table-2 Statistical summary of the investigated heavy metal in well at the study area Mean ± S.D (Range) MCL No above MCL 0.017 ± 0.016 (0.003 -0.066) 0.003 mg/l 14 0.229 ± 0.061(0.102 -0.317) 0.01mg/l 20 1.076 ± 2.393 (0.009 -8.406) 0.3 mg/l 2 NOTE: MCL is Maximum Contaminant Level set by WHO (2006) for drinking water Figure-3 Lead levels in water samples Figure-4 Iron level in water samples ______________ _____ ISSN 2231-606X Res.J.Chem.Sci 3 Statistical summary of the investigated heavy metal in well at the study area No above MCL % above MCL 82% 100% 16.67% Research Journal of Chemical Sciences __________________________________________________________ ISSN 2231-606X Vol. 1(9), 1-5, Dec. (2011) Res.J.Chem.SciInternational Science Congress Association 4 Furthermore, the result showed that all water samples contained lead concentration that does not conform to the maximum contaminant level 0.01mg/l. The lead concentration in well samples in the study area fell in the range of 0.102mg/l - 0.317mg/l concentration (figure. 3). This result is of great concern as lead has been recognized for centuries as a cumulative general metabolic poison7,8. It is a neurotoxin and it is responsible for the most common type of human metal toxicosis. Also studies have linked lead exposures even at low concentration and increases in blood pressure as well as with reduced intelligence quotient in children10 and with attention disorders11. Thus the danger of lead poisoning becomes very critical and real for the users. Finally, the result water analysis showed that 60% of tested samples have detectable amount of iron with concentration ranging from 0.009mg/l - 8.406mg/l (fig.4) as against the WHO acceptable limit for portable water of 0.3mg/l. Water containing iron is known to cause deleterious effect on human health. Excessive iron in water makes water turbid, discoloured (brownish colouration) and imparts an astringent taste to water. Table-3 showed the comparison of the heavy metal contamination in the sampled wells in the two study locations. Although the metals concentrations in water samples were generally above the maximum contaminants level, cadmium concentration is higher in Ilaro wells (0.019 mg/l) than in Aiyetoro wells (0.015mg/l). Also, the lead concentration in Aiyetoro wells (0.262 mg/l) is higher than that of Ilaro wells (0.195 mg/l). Finally, the iron Level in Aiyetoro wells (1.280 mg/l) is higher than in Ilaro wells (0.704 mg/l). Table-3 Comparison of Statistical Mean For Ilaro and Aiyetoro Metal Aiyetoro Ilaro MCL Cadmium (mg/l) 0.015 0.019 0.003 Lead (mg/l) 0.262 0.195 0.01 Iron (mg/l) 1.280 0.704 0.3 Conclusion The can be concluded that wells in the area are contaminated with cadmium, lead and iron. This implies that the well water in the study location is unsuitable for drinking. Hence, there is need for that Periodic water sampling and analysis, where affordable, water must be treated before consumption and Public enlightenment on water quality should be encourage to foretell the looming danger from water contamination/pollution. References Mendie U., The Nature of Water. In: The Theory and Practice of Clean Water Production for Domestic and Industrial Use, Lagos: Lacto-Medals Publishers, 1-21. (2005) 2.IDLO, Water Tenure Reform and Pubic Access to Water as a Basic Need, Int. Dev. Law Org. Voice of Dev. 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(2011) Res.J.Chem.SciInternational Science Congress Association 5 13.World Health Organization, Guideline for drinking water quality, Revision of the 1984 guidelines final task group meeting Geneva 21-25 September (1993)14.World Health Organization WHO, Guidelinefor drinking water, 2nd edition vol. 2 Health criteria and other supporting information. Geneva, Switzerland, 940-9, Addendum to , 281-3 (1996)15.World Health Organization, Water for Pharmaceutical Use. In: Quality Assurance of Pharmaceuticals: A Compendium of Guidelines and Related Materials. 2nd Updated Edn. World Health Organisation, Geneva, , 170-187. (2007)