Heavy Metals Evaluation of Water Resources of Mkpuma Ekwaoku Mining Area, Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria.

Abstract

Heavy metals evaluation of Mkpuma Ekwaoku mining area, Ebonyi State was carried out. The area lies between longitude 6º 29' N - 6º 36 'N and latitude 8º 12' E - 8º 20' E. Geologically, the area is underlain by shales and mudstone which belong to the Asu River Group (Albian). Twenty (20) water samples were collected from drinking water sources like abandoned mine ponds, hand dug wells and boreholes and were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric (AAS). The result of hydrogeochemical analysis reveals basic water resources with concentrations of Mn>As>Zn>Co>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd>Cu>Hg in the study area. Physical parameters tested includes; pH, TDS, Ec and Turbidity and shows basic water. Concentrations of As, Co, Cr, Pb, Cd and Hg are above the USEPA and WHO, 2011 permissible values for safe domestic water supply. The high concentration is as a result of the dissolution of the ions into groundwater sources from ore bodies and abandoned mines. Proper water resources protection and management is being advocated in the area.