Effects of industrialization on groundwater quality in Shagamu and Ota industrial areas of Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

(0.18-138.75 mg/L) and that of heavy metals concentrations in the water sample were: Pb (0.003-0.199 mg/L), Cd (0.002-0.013 mg/L), Ni (0.004-0.259 mg/L), Cr (0.002-0.54 mg/L), Mn (0.015-1.940 mg/L), Fe (0.02-2.01 mg/L), Cu (0.012-0.72 mg/L), Zn (0.004-0.500 mg/L). A comparison of the obtained results with the World Health Organization standards (for drinking water) revealed that the levels of pH, Ca, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Cr were higher than the prescribed values. It was observed that groundwater sources for the dry season in both Ota and Shagamu have higher heavy metal concentrations that are above the permissible limits than the wet season, implying that more industrial activities were probably conducted during the dry season under the sampling period. The result of the heavy metals was in the magnitude according to the trend Fe > Mn > Cu > Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cd. This study revealed that these industrialized areas contained high concentrations of heavy metals which can cause health disorders and behavioral defects. Thus, the water in the study locations is not suitable for consumption without prior treatment. It is therefore, recommends that the water in the study locations should be treated before were used for various domestic purposes, and the construction of the boreholes and dug wells are proposed here to follow proper siting regulations.