Heavy Metals Assessment of Groundwater Contamination around Waste Management Sites in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Groundwater being the water present beneath the earth surface is a fresh water source due to its lower tendency to be polluted but stand the risk of contamination in recent times due to increase in industrialization, population and poor waste management. Hence the heavy metal assessment of groundwater around waste management sites in Rivers State, Nigeria was carried out. The ground water samples were collected from three locations Iwofe, Igwuruta and Oyigbo all in Rivers state for heavy metals and microbiological analysis using the American Public Health Association (APHA) methods and standard method of culturing, isolating and identification using biochemical tests and Gram staining. The obtained results were compared alongside World Health Organization (WHO), Federal Environmental Protection Agency permissible limits (FEPA). The results showed that there was significant bacteria presence in the groundwater of selected areas and it also showed that heavy metals were also present in the water. The study of heavy metals and microbiological assessment of this groundwater samples suggest that a proper and an advanced waste management practices should be put in place to curb ground water contamination.