Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria
Abstract This study aimed to assess the human health risks associated with groundwater consumption in Abakaliki Metropolis using Water Quality Index (WQI) and HERisk code. Groundwater samples (n = 32) obtained from boreholes were analysed for pH, Zn, Pb. Fe, Cr and NO3 to evaluate both non-carcinoge...
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Springer
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Discover Water |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-024-00174-x |
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| author | Andrew A. Tyopine Nwabueze I. Elom Folasade Alomaja Nnadozie Onyezewe Divine C. Mbah Blessing Aguma Chelsey O. Nwoke Ugochukwu Oraeki |
| author_facet | Andrew A. Tyopine Nwabueze I. Elom Folasade Alomaja Nnadozie Onyezewe Divine C. Mbah Blessing Aguma Chelsey O. Nwoke Ugochukwu Oraeki |
| author_sort | Andrew A. Tyopine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study aimed to assess the human health risks associated with groundwater consumption in Abakaliki Metropolis using Water Quality Index (WQI) and HERisk code. Groundwater samples (n = 32) obtained from boreholes were analysed for pH, Zn, Pb. Fe, Cr and NO3 to evaluate both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. The average concentrations of these parameters, except Pb (0.02 mg/L) and Cr (0.06 mg/L), were within permissible limits. The distribution of the average concentrations of the parameters followed the order: Zn > Cr > Fe > NO3 > Pb. The WQI ranged from 0.15 to 505.67 classifying 12.50% of the water samples as excellent sources of drinking water, 9.38% as good, 9.38% as poor, 12.50% as very poor and 56.25% unfit for drinking. The HERisk code revealed significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks exceeding safety limits (< 1 × 106–1 × 104), especially for children. A linear regression model showed a relatively strong correlation between WQI and HERisk code (R2 = 0.6824) for oral exposure route, highlighting the potential health hazards of consuming contaminated groundwater. This study has contributed to understanding the health risks posed by heavy metals, particularly Pb and Cr, in Abakaliki Metropolis, guiding future interventions and public health policies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7439953086ec4a32b261e38cd2d8efc8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2730-647X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
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| series | Discover Water |
| spelling | doaj-art-7439953086ec4a32b261e38cd2d8efc82025-08-20T02:31:03ZengSpringerDiscover Water2730-647X2024-12-014111610.1007/s43832-024-00174-xAssessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, NigeriaAndrew A. Tyopine0Nwabueze I. Elom1Folasade Alomaja2Nnadozie Onyezewe3Divine C. Mbah4Blessing Aguma5Chelsey O. Nwoke6Ugochukwu Oraeki7Environmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateEnvironmental/Analytical Unit, Department of Chemistry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi StateAbstract This study aimed to assess the human health risks associated with groundwater consumption in Abakaliki Metropolis using Water Quality Index (WQI) and HERisk code. Groundwater samples (n = 32) obtained from boreholes were analysed for pH, Zn, Pb. Fe, Cr and NO3 to evaluate both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks. The average concentrations of these parameters, except Pb (0.02 mg/L) and Cr (0.06 mg/L), were within permissible limits. The distribution of the average concentrations of the parameters followed the order: Zn > Cr > Fe > NO3 > Pb. The WQI ranged from 0.15 to 505.67 classifying 12.50% of the water samples as excellent sources of drinking water, 9.38% as good, 9.38% as poor, 12.50% as very poor and 56.25% unfit for drinking. The HERisk code revealed significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks exceeding safety limits (< 1 × 106–1 × 104), especially for children. A linear regression model showed a relatively strong correlation between WQI and HERisk code (R2 = 0.6824) for oral exposure route, highlighting the potential health hazards of consuming contaminated groundwater. This study has contributed to understanding the health risks posed by heavy metals, particularly Pb and Cr, in Abakaliki Metropolis, guiding future interventions and public health policies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-024-00174-xGroundwaterHeavy metalsWater Quality IndexHERisk codeHuman health risksAbakaliki Metropolis |
| spellingShingle | Andrew A. Tyopine Nwabueze I. Elom Folasade Alomaja Nnadozie Onyezewe Divine C. Mbah Blessing Aguma Chelsey O. Nwoke Ugochukwu Oraeki Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria Discover Water Groundwater Heavy metals Water Quality Index HERisk code Human health risks Abakaliki Metropolis |
| title | Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria |
| title_full | Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria |
| title_short | Assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of Abakaliki Metropolis, Nigeria |
| title_sort | assessment of heavy metal contamination and health risks in groundwater of abakaliki metropolis nigeria |
| topic | Groundwater Heavy metals Water Quality Index HERisk code Human health risks Abakaliki Metropolis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-024-00174-x |
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