Determination of Physicochemical Properties and Heavy Metal Contents in Selected Water Sources Within Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State
The present study was undertaken to evaluate physicochemical properties of water in Selected Water Sources Within Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State. Water samples were collected from the locations and analyzed for physicochemical parameters using the American Public Health Association (APHA) standard method while heavy metal analysis was carried out using (Pb, Cr, As, and Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and compared with WHO permissible limits. Descriptive statistics, t-test and ANOVA were used for the data analysis. Results obtained showed that mean physicochemical parameters from sample locations samples fluctuated as follows: pH (7.54± 0.34 – 7.73±0.39); Conductivity (15.12±1.16 – 42.01±3.13); TDS (17.6b±1.36 – 19.20±1.63); DO (3.02±0.25 – 4.22±0.53); Turbidity (31±3.27 – 49.8±4.86); BOD (23.08±1.67 – 24.7±1.76); Salinity (0.6±0.03 – 1.4±0.1); and Nitrate (0.523±0.03 – 0.640±0.06). The results revealed traces of heavy metals across the sampling station. There was significant difference in the contents of heavy metals investigated. The highest traces of heavy metals were recorded in Safari club shell camp (2.88 mg/kg) while the least was observed from Alvan Nursery (0.41 mg/kg) respectively. All the heavy metal determined were below the maximum permissible limit set by WHO. The study recommends that there should be continuous monitoring of the pollution levels of the water sources to provide adequate information necessary for its effective management.
Keywords: Physicochemical, Heavy Metal, Water Sources, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State
