Determination of lead in potable water of Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus, Zaria, Nigeria.
No Thumbnail Available
Files
Date
2014
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal for the Tropics. Published by Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Bayero University, Kano.
Abstract
Lead is one of the most ubiquitous toxic metals of concern in urban water supply systems. It is widely distributed and mobilized in the environment. Human exposure to and uptake of this non-essential element has consequently increased. In this study, five drinking water samples from eleven different locations (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L) and five packaged water samples from Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus, Zaria were randomly collected, digested with concentrated nitric acid using the Association of Official Analytical Chemists nitric acid digestion method and analyzed for lead using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results indicated that the mean concentration of lead ranged from 0.0490 ± 0.0133 mg/L to 0.1141 ± 0.0189 mg/L with areas coded D and K having significantly higher concentrations (P<0.05). the mean concentration of lead in all the eleven locations and packaged water were significantly higher than the World Health Organization guidelines of 0.01 mg/L (P<0.05). Consequently, the potable water of Ahmadu Bello Main campus Zaria may pose a threat to the health of the University community.
Description
Keywords
Lead, contamination, drinking water, Zaria
Citation
Abdullahi, S.T., Yakasai, I.A., Garba, M., Musa, A. & Yakubu, S.I. (2014). Determination of lead in potable water of Ahmadu Bello University Main Campus, Zaria, Nigeria. Biological and Environmental Sciences Journal for the Tropics. 11(1):12-15. ISSN 0794-9057.