Assessment of trace metal concentrations in drinking water samples from selected locations in Gezawa and Gabasawa Local Government Areas, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The problem of drinking water with high concentrations of trace metals is a major health concern in developing countries. Trace metal  concentrations (Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Fe) in water samples of different locations in Gezawa and Gabasawa Local Government were  evaluated. The water samples used for the study were borehole water, sachet water, well water and river water and were collected from  different geographical coordinates on the site i.e. Gezawa and Gabasawa Local Government in polythene plastic containers of 7liters  capacity. The concentration levels of selected trace metals, (Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, and Pb) were determined in water in (µg/L) using Microwave  Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPAES). The highest mean concentrations (µg/L) of the trace metals in the water sources are Cd  (0.12), Fe (43.38), Cu (2.64), Ni (0.527) and Pb (1.52). When the highest mean concentrations of trace metals in the water were considered,  Iron has the highest mean concentration in the water with a concentration of 43.38 (µg/L) and cadmium had the lowest concentration  with a value of 0.12 (µg/L). Comparison of these results showed that, their highest levels are within the standard values obtained in  Nigeria and some developed countries.