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This study examines the fluctuation in the quality of groundwater, the degree of pollution caused by Potentially Toxic Metals (PTMs), and possible risks to human health in Onitsha urban, southeastern Nigeria. The results indicated that compared with World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standards, the groundwater is fresh, slightly acidic, and unsuitable for drinking as regards to K+, NO₃–, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Se. During the dry season, the water is classified as outstanding to good quality while in the wet season; the shallow and a few deep groundwater have poor to extremely poor quality. Based on the degree of contamination/pollution, in the wet season, the groundwater is of low pollution and no risk. However, the water becomes extremely polluted and is considered harmful to the health of children and adults if consumed in the dry season. The calculated indices, including contamination index (Cd), heavy metal pollution index (HMPI), and Water Quality Index (WQI), showed a strong and positive correlation, indicating that similar geological factors and input sources influence them. An assessment of health risks using the hazard index (HI) showed that children had a higher exposure to non-carcinogenic health risks during the wet season. Approximately 45% of the HI values exceeded the danger limit of 1, with nitrate (NO3−) pollution making a substantial contribution. The primary sources of nitrate pollution are natural and manmade activities. These include soil leachates resulting from decomposed organic matter, agricultural runoff caused by using fertilizers, and inadequate septic and waste disposal systems. An elevated concentration of NO3− exceeding the allowable level, constitutes a major health threat and of concern. Methemoglobinemia is a widely recognized health problem associated with nitrates and is known to affect children. It is a deadly disease characterized by cyanosis and caused by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, treating, monitoring, managing, and enhancing the region's groundwater resources is imperative while safeguarding the well-being of individuals residing within the research area.

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Groundwater Quality, Pollution by Heavy Metals and Its Implication for Human Health Risk in Onitsha Urban, Southeastern Nigeria

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • G. N. Anachuna,
  • T. N. Nganje,
  • A. Edet,
  • C. I. Adamu,
  • Lynda-Uta Edet Okon,
  • D. O. Inyang,
  • E. A. Kudamnya

摘要

This study examines the fluctuation in the quality of groundwater, the degree of pollution caused by Potentially Toxic Metals (PTMs), and possible risks to human health in Onitsha urban, southeastern Nigeria. The results indicated that compared with World Health Organization (WHO) recommended standards, the groundwater is fresh, slightly acidic, and unsuitable for drinking as regards to K+, NO₃–, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Se. During the dry season, the water is classified as outstanding to good quality while in the wet season; the shallow and a few deep groundwater have poor to extremely poor quality. Based on the degree of contamination/pollution, in the wet season, the groundwater is of low pollution and no risk. However, the water becomes extremely polluted and is considered harmful to the health of children and adults if consumed in the dry season. The calculated indices, including contamination index (Cd), heavy metal pollution index (HMPI), and Water Quality Index (WQI), showed a strong and positive correlation, indicating that similar geological factors and input sources influence them. An assessment of health risks using the hazard index (HI) showed that children had a higher exposure to non-carcinogenic health risks during the wet season. Approximately 45% of the HI values exceeded the danger limit of 1, with nitrate (NO3−) pollution making a substantial contribution. The primary sources of nitrate pollution are natural and manmade activities. These include soil leachates resulting from decomposed organic matter, agricultural runoff caused by using fertilizers, and inadequate septic and waste disposal systems. An elevated concentration of NO3− exceeding the allowable level, constitutes a major health threat and of concern. Methemoglobinemia is a widely recognized health problem associated with nitrates and is known to affect children. It is a deadly disease characterized by cyanosis and caused by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, treating, monitoring, managing, and enhancing the region's groundwater resources is imperative while safeguarding the well-being of individuals residing within the research area.