COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BOREHOLE AND WELL WATER IN SALAME AND TAMBAGARGA TOWN GWADAWABA LOCAL GOVERNMENT SOKOTO STATE
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals (Fe, Pb, Cd, and Zn) in borehole and well water samples using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Water samples were collected from different locations within the study area and analyzed after acid digestion using concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃). Calibration standards were prepared from 1000 mg/L stock solutions of each metal, and instrumental analysis was performed using standard AAS conditions. The results obtained showed that the concentrations of Fe, Pb, Cd, and Zn varied across the sampling sites. In some locations, the concentrations of Pb and Cd exceeded the permissible limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigerian Industrial Standard (NIS), indicating possible contamination. The results revealed that borehole water samples generally contained lower heavy metal levels compared to well water samples. The findings suggest that continuous monitoring and proper treatment of drinking water sources are necessary to prevent health risks associated with heavy metal exposure.
Keywords: Heavy metals, Borehole water, Well water, AAS, Contamination, WHO standard.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.