ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION STATUS IN ASHA AND SABOEREGI MINING AREAS OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
ASSESSMENT OF POLLUTION STATUS IN ASHA AND SABOEREGI MINING AREAS OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA
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Date
2018-02
Authors
GANA, Peter Jibrin
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Abstract
This research work investigated the water and soil pollution status of Asha and
Saboeregi mining areas of Niger State using standard analytical methods. The physicochemical
parameters of water (pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical
conductivity, dis-solved oxygen, chloride, alkalinity, sulphide, colour, suspended solid,
total solid, bio-chemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate and
phosphate) as well as soil (pH, organic carbon, organic matter, available phosphorus,
cation exchange capacity, sand, silt and clay) were determined. The water, soils and
Sorghum bicolor grains were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer to
determine the concentrations of Au, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn. Statistical analysis on
the results were carried out using One –way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results
indicated that of the fifteen physical and chemical properties of waters from Rivers
Gbako and Tangale studied, seven of the properties (turbidity, alkalinity, sulphide,,
colour, suspended solid, nitrate and phosphate) exceeded the acceptable World Health
Organisation (WHO) standard limits for surface waters while four of these properties
(total dissolved solid, electrical conductivity, chloride and biochemical oxygen demand)
were found to be below the acceptable WHO standard limits for surface waters and the
remaining three properties (pH, dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand) were
within the acceptable WHO standard limits for surface waters during the period of
study. The distribution of heavy metals in surface water of Rivers Gbako and Tangale
indicates that anthropogenic activity was an important factor contributing to increased
metals (Au, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) concentration in the water. The metal
concentrations were higher than the values obtained for control sites except for Cd and
Pb. The metal concentrations were also higher than the recommended limits given by
Joint Food Organization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). The soils at
Asha mining site were sandy loam while those of Saboeregi were sandy clay loam in
texture and showed Saboeregi soils had better structural stability, water holding
capacity and high nutrient. The concentrations of the metals (Au, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb
and Zn) in the soils from the mining sites were higher than the corresponding values
from the control sites, and also higher than the recommended limits given by Joint
FoodOrganization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). The index of geoaccumulation
(Igeo) showed that soils at the two study sites (Asha and Saboeregi) were
extremely polluted with Fe with Igeo value of 7.43. Heavily to extremely polluted with
Mn with Igeo value of 4.41 and heavily polluted with Zn with Igeo value of 3.66. The
concentrations of the metals (Au, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn) in the Sorghum grains
harvested from the mining sites were higher than the corresponding values from the
control site with the exception of Cd and Pb, and also higher than the recommended
limits given by Joint Food Organization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO)
with the exception of Cu and Mn.
Description
A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE
STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD
OF THE
DOCTORATE DEGREE IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
FACULTY OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, POLLUTION STATUS,, ASHA AND SABOEREGI,, MINING AREAS,, NIGER STATE,, NIGERIA