METALS AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF WATER AND SEDIMENT SAMPLES FROM IPE-AKOKO AND IPESI-AKOKO, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Nine water locations (six boreholes and three surface water), from two towns (Ipesi-Akoko and Ipe-Akoko) were considered for the present study. The waters samples were collected and analysed for physico-chemical parameters and nine metal ions to determine the level of pollutants and their sources. The sediments of the surface water bodies were also collected for analysis. The metal ions of Ca2+, Mn2+,Mg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+,Fe2+ and Cu2+,were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, while Na2+and K+ were determined by Flame Photometer. pH and Electrical Conductivity were determined by standard methods. Total Hardness, BOD, DO and COD by titration, PO43-, NH4+, NO3-, and Cl- by colorimetry while total suspended solids and total dissolved solids by gravimetric method. The range ( in mg/l) of the water bodies are Ca2+, (0.86 and 57.76); Mg2+, (0.36 and 31.39); K+, (2.56 and 62.67); Na+, (4.85 and 40.84); Fe2+, (0.047 and 2.54); Cu2+, (0.01 and 0.07); Zn2+, (0.01 and 0.28); Pb2+, (0.02 and 0.11); DO, (1.33 and 2.23); BOD, (0.53 and 1.67); COD, (6.07 and 54.53); NO2-, (20.00 and 51.67); PO43-, (14.17 and 64.67); pH, (6.15 and 8.23); NH4+, (8.37 and 75.00); total hardness, (25.33 and 56.33); total dissolve solids, (17.67 and 68.33); total suspended solids, (4.67 and 204.33); total solids, (32.00 and 249.33) and electrical conductivity in μΩ (10.00 and 115.55). All the water samples analysed had acceptable pH values except Ipe borehole I and Atan stream which were slightly basic during wet season. Omi Oba was slightly acidic during dry season. The metallic constituent of all surface water and all Ipe borehole samples in both wet and dry season were within the specified acceptable limits set by WHO and USEPA. All Ipesi boreholes had Pb during wet season but only Ipesi boreholes 2 and 3 values (0.0.3mg/l and 0.023mg/l respectively) had Pb concentrations that were more than the specified limit set by WHO and USEPA. All water samples had no traces of Pb during dry season.