Physicochemical Characteristics and Trace Metal Levels of Locally Dug Wells in Tunga Area of Minna, Nigeria

Abstract

Physicochemical characteristics and trace metal levels of water from locally dug wells in Tunga area of Minna were studied using titrimetric and instrumental methods. Trace metal levels in all the studied wells ranged between 0.40-1.50, 0.32-0.95, 0.12-0.50, 0.03-0.21, 0.01-0.04 and 0.01-0.02mg/L for Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr Pb and Cd respectively. The physic-chemical parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and total dissolved solids gave average values of 27.9oC, 3.89mg/l, 22.62mg/l, and 15.8mg/l respectively. The average concentrations of chlorides, total hardens magnesium and calcium ions analysed were 34.58mg/l, 147.63mg/l, 7.99mg/l and 114.90mg/l respectively. Results from this study showed that the industrial and human activities in this study area pose no major health hazard to their well water, and are therefore fit for their domestic activities. Notwithstanding, regular monitoring of trace metal levels in these wells which act as major sources of water for their domestic activities need to be carried out by regulatory bodies due to the increasing human population in this area.