Assessment of Water Pollution Status in the Mining Area of Ameka, South Eastern Nigeria Using Metal Pollution Index

The assessment of water pollution status in the mining areas of Ameka was undertaken to determine the extent to which the hydrological setting of the area have been affected by the mining activities in the area using the World Health Organization Standards as guide. Ten water samples were systematically collected from different sources at interval in thoroughly washed and sterilized plastic container. Physico-chemical analysis was done within 48 hours. The anions were determined by simple flame analysis while Heavy metal analyses was conducted using the Varian AAS 240 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Metal pollution Index was used to ascertain the level of water pollution in the area. The results show that the surface water in the entire area has been adversely polluted physico-chemically. A pH of 5.7 (average) puts the surface water as acidic. All the heavy metals tested for had pollution indices values far above the threshold. Ten elements that have the highest pollution indices are Cr ˂ Ag ˂ Al ˂ Mn ˂ Pb ˂ Hg ˂ Se ˂ Zn ˂ Cd ˂ As while, Cl-, S042-, N03-, P04-, K+, Mn, Hg, Mg and Cd had the widest spread each making up to 100, 90 or 80 % spread. Pb, Fe, As, Zn, Ni, Na and Ca where also high making up to 70% appearances in the area. Comparing the above, it is logical to deduce that Hg, Cd and Mn have the most polluting effect followed by As, Zn, Pb, Se, Ag and Cr.