Source Identification of Chemical Contaminants in Environmental Media of a Rural Settlement

Abstract

Principal Component Analysis was used to identify the source of contaminants in Ubeji settlement. The contaminants assessed are oil and grease, TPH and related heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn). A total of 48 groundwater, 100 surface water, 160 soil and 100 sediment samples were collected from the study site from March 2011 to August 2011. The results show significant contamination, as TPH levels in groundwater and surface water range from 22 to 96 mg L..., while soil and sediment levels range from 600 to 2300 mg kg.... Also, Cd, Cr and Pb levels in the groundwater and surface water range from 0.02 to 0.47, 0.51 to 1.3 and 1.7 to 4.1 mg L..., respectively while soil and sediment levels range from 0.04 to 0.48, 28 to 66, 45 to 69 mg kg-I, respectively. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)