Assessment and Impacts of Metal Recycling on Groundwater Quality in Ogijo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential source of water supply globally. Recently, however, the groundwater environment is being threatened due to heavy metal contamination resulting from the indiscriminate use, storage, and disposal of toxic metal elements. This study evaluates heavy metals concentrations in groundwater systems close to a metal recycling industry in Ogun State, Nigeria. In the study, thirty-six (36) water samples were collected from boreholes within the vicinity of a metal recycling industry and analysed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Water samples collected had trace concentrations of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and nickel (Ni); metal concentrations were highest in the borehole closest to the industry. Pb, Cr, and Mn concentrations were above the acceptable standards. The findings showed that the activities within metal recycling industries can potentially elevate toxic metal concentrations in groundwater water sources close to it if proper mitigation measures are not put in place.