Determination of Heavy Metal, Physicochemical and Microbiological Profile in Drinkable Water from Selected Bore Holes in Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metal, physicochemical and microbiological profile of borehole water from selected locations in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State was carried out. Borehole water which was collected from three locations in Mararaba, New Karu, Masaka, Auta Balefi and Uke were subjected to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to determine the heavy metal level and their physicochemical and microbiological profile. While the mean concentration of chromium was higher than the world health organization (WHO) standard for drinking water, the levels of copper, arsenic, cobalt and nickel were lower than the standard. The result also revealed that manganese, cadmium, lead and zinc were not within the detectable region of AAS in the borehole water. The concentration of iron was within the WHO specification. Chromium levels which are above the WHO standard for drinking water may be adduced to surface contamination arising from pollution, environmental and topographical sources. Iron, copper and nickel levels which were below WHO standard may not predispose to renal failure. Physicochemical analysis indicated that all parameters assessed were either below or within the WHO standard. Microbiological analyses showed no visible presence of bacteria except for traces of E. coli and total coliform observed in Masaka as well as those of S. typhi in New Karu and V. cholerae observed in Uke. The present study therefore gave better information on water safety/toxic nature of the water and would serve as precedent findings with which subsequent geographical impact evaluation of environmental activities could be gradually evaluated  in the study area.