Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA

Introduction: The supply of water for domestic purposes from wells is common in some areas in the United States of America. However, research has shown that this underground water may become polluted with trace metals due to both natural processes and anthropogenic effects. Objectives: The current s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J.O. Olowoyo, L.G. Pap, O.M. Oladeji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773050625000229
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849312216391614464
author J.O. Olowoyo
L.G. Pap
O.M. Oladeji
author_facet J.O. Olowoyo
L.G. Pap
O.M. Oladeji
author_sort J.O. Olowoyo
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The supply of water for domestic purposes from wells is common in some areas in the United States of America. However, research has shown that this underground water may become polluted with trace metals due to both natural processes and anthropogenic effects. Objectives: The current study evaluated the levels of trace metals in well water from a community in Florida. The study further investigated the potential health risks associated with the levels of trace metals in the water samples. Results: A total of 34 water samples (treated and untreated) were used for the study. The result showed the presence of Pb in both treated and untreated water samples 18.2 ± 1.8 µg L-1–117.7 ± 4.5 µg L-1. Fe concentrations ranged from 10.7 ± 2.2 µg L-1–940.1 ± 3.5 µg L-1. Values obtained for Pb were higher than the recommended limit. Three of the water samples have Fe values above the recommended limit for human consumption. Differences obtained from the treated and untreated water samples for some of the trace metals were not significant (p < 0.05). The health risk calculated in this study for Pb, and other trace metals did not show any potential health risk at this stage because the values were all <1. The ecological risk assessment also showed no threat to the environment at this stage with a caution for Pb and Cu due to the values obtained. Conclusion: The presence of Pb in water suggests the need for continuous monitoring of the water samples from the area and further investigation to the actual source of Pb may be necessary so as to ensure safety.
format Article
id doaj-art-eb3ef26db2c543eeaefb185aad82c2c2
institution Kabale University
issn 2773-0506
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals
spelling doaj-art-eb3ef26db2c543eeaefb185aad82c2c22025-08-20T03:53:08ZengElsevierJournal of Trace Elements and Minerals2773-05062025-06-011210023110.1016/j.jtemin.2025.100231Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USAJ.O. Olowoyo0L.G. Pap1O.M. Oladeji2Department of Health Sciences and The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USA; Corresponding author.Department of Chemistry and The Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL, USADepartment of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South AfricaIntroduction: The supply of water for domestic purposes from wells is common in some areas in the United States of America. However, research has shown that this underground water may become polluted with trace metals due to both natural processes and anthropogenic effects. Objectives: The current study evaluated the levels of trace metals in well water from a community in Florida. The study further investigated the potential health risks associated with the levels of trace metals in the water samples. Results: A total of 34 water samples (treated and untreated) were used for the study. The result showed the presence of Pb in both treated and untreated water samples 18.2 ± 1.8 µg L-1–117.7 ± 4.5 µg L-1. Fe concentrations ranged from 10.7 ± 2.2 µg L-1–940.1 ± 3.5 µg L-1. Values obtained for Pb were higher than the recommended limit. Three of the water samples have Fe values above the recommended limit for human consumption. Differences obtained from the treated and untreated water samples for some of the trace metals were not significant (p < 0.05). The health risk calculated in this study for Pb, and other trace metals did not show any potential health risk at this stage because the values were all <1. The ecological risk assessment also showed no threat to the environment at this stage with a caution for Pb and Cu due to the values obtained. Conclusion: The presence of Pb in water suggests the need for continuous monitoring of the water samples from the area and further investigation to the actual source of Pb may be necessary so as to ensure safety.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773050625000229Trace metalsWell waterMonitoringTreated and untreated water samples
spellingShingle J.O. Olowoyo
L.G. Pap
O.M. Oladeji
Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
Journal of Trace Elements and Minerals
Trace metals
Well water
Monitoring
Treated and untreated water samples
title Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
title_full Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
title_fullStr Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
title_short Preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from Lehigh Acres, Florida, USA
title_sort preliminary analysis of trace metals in well water collected from lehigh acres florida usa
topic Trace metals
Well water
Monitoring
Treated and untreated water samples
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773050625000229
work_keys_str_mv AT joolowoyo preliminaryanalysisoftracemetalsinwellwatercollectedfromlehighacresfloridausa
AT lgpap preliminaryanalysisoftracemetalsinwellwatercollectedfromlehighacresfloridausa
AT omoladeji preliminaryanalysisoftracemetalsinwellwatercollectedfromlehighacresfloridausa