Overview of Arsenic Distribution in some Part of Biu Volcanic Province North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Overexposure to arsenic can cause various diseases such as cancer of (skin, lung, bladder, and kidney), hair loss and nails deformity. These diseases are common among adults, youth and children in some rural communities in Biu Volcanic Province North-Eastern Nigeria. This is what motivated the Authors to investigate the concentration of arsenic in surface and ground waters of Biu volcanic environment, northern eastern Nigeria and to delineate areas of high risk to arsenic exposure. Thirty seven water samples; thirteen surface water samples and twenty four ground water samples were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) at Geochemistry Laboratory, University of Jos, Nigeria. Arsenic concentrations range from 0.03 to 0.477 mg/L in the surface water and 0.006 to 0.424 mg/L in the ground water. This study indicates that people in Yimirshika Village might be at a considerable risk of arsenic poisoning.