Assessment Of Heavy Metal Concentrations In Water Samples From The Hydraulically Connected Water Systems In Northern Delta Depobelt Nigeria.

The concentration of heavy metals in the water samples collected from the hydraulically connected water systems rivers hand dug wells and boreholes in Northern Delta Depobelt Niger Delta Nigeria were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometric method. The samples were studied and analyzed for seven 7 heavy metals namely Zinc Zn Cadmium Cd Copper Cu Iron Fe Lead Pb Arsenic As and Chromium Cr. The range concentrations of these heavy metals obtained in the water samples in mgl are as follows Zn0.02- 1.3 Cd 0.001-0.006 Cu 0.03-0.96 Fe 008- 25.74 Pb 0.10-0.80 As0.001-0.006 and Cr 0.03-0.20.The results obtained were compared with the recommended standards of the World Health Organization W.H.O. and Federal Environmental Protection Agency FEPA and it was found that Zn Cd Cu As and Cr concentrations in all the water samples were below the recommended level set by WHO and FEPA for safe drinking water except Fe and Pb. These imply contaminated status for the water collected from these sampling communities on the bases of Fe and Pb concentrations. The habitual use of the water for drinking domestic and industrial purposes by inhabitants has possible health hazards. The shale lithology underlying the area and the increase in the production of oil as well as the oil facilities in the area fasten the rate at which toxic heavy metals are dispersed to the water table by leachate. I recommend regular monitoring assessment in these host communities to ensure adherence of oil producing companies to existing environmental and water laws.