The aims of this research work were; to determine possible heavy metal contaminant of well water in Abakpa area of Enugu metropolis and to inform the community and others of their health effect.
Well water was collected after an extended stagnation (overnight) from a closed well behind kerosene bus- stop at Abakpa. The sampling was limited by the high cost of the reagent needed for the laboratory test use of the analytical instrument and apparata. Besides, the number of wells in Abakpa were not two nor three but very many. Thus to prove heavy metal contamination of well water in Abakpa a well was chosen. This well’s water was chosen because looking at its color and odour one may infer the water was clean good for drinking. Distilled water was also used in the experimental aspect of some the metals (Ni and Co).
The analytical instrument that was used is portable data logging spectrophotometer. The reagents were copper ver 1 reagent powder pillow, citric acid powder pillow, ferrous iron powder pillow sodium period ate powder pillow, potassium 1 reagent powder pillow, buffer powder pillow – yellow, phthalates phosphate reagent powder pillow and bromphenol blue indicator. Other materials were 10 Nu sample cell, 25 ml sample cell dropper, 1 ml pipette, flat bottom conical flask and funnel. The following heavy metal contaminants; copper, manganese, iron, chromium, nickel, barium, and cobalt were tested for and were found present at trace level; 0.01, 1.3, 0.22, 0.01,0.59, 34, and 0.03 mg/L respectively.
This study is on the determination of heavy metal contamination of well water in Abakpa, Enugu metropolis. Water to a chemist is a chemical compound with two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen in each of its molecules. It has multi – uses and indispensable for continuous existence of plants and animals. One of its artificial sources is well water from well if impure or contaminated is not safe for its beneficiaries whether used directly or indirectly.
Heavy metal is one of its pollutants. They cannot be detected by sight, taste or smell but by chemical analysis using suitable analytical techniques. When water is not safe to its beneficiaries it means there are adverse effects due to the presence of contaminants. Through the determination of the contaminants the problem haly sowed. Determination in this context means finding out or calculating the heavy metal contaminants (qualitatively and quantitatively). Preventive measures can be taken and the pharmacists and doctors can offer lasting solution after knowing the source of the problem.
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