DETERMINATION OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN WATER SAMPLES POLLUTED WITH MUNICIPAL WASTES AROUND IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

In many Nigerian cities, there has been a phenomenal increase in the volume of wastes generated daily within the past few years. This is due largely to the increasing rates of population growth, urbanization, industrialization and general economic activities. In these cities, the habit of dumping and disposing waste indiscriminately has become a common practice among dwellers. Wastes in such places are obviously a source of air and water pollution, land contamination, and environmental degradation. Selected heavy metals’ analyses were carried on water samples collected from abandoned well in Agbowo, well from Abattoir, Sabo canal and Mokola stream, all in Ibadan North Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State. The level of Cr in the
samples ranges from 0.04 to 0.10mg/l, Pb ranges from 0.01 to 0.04mg/l, Cd ranges from 0.01 to 0.07mg/l, and Fe ranges from 0.33 to 4.02. The results, when compared with WHO’s maximum permissible limit show great
deviations which call for urgent attention of the government and individual.