Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian
Background. Arsenic, antimony and selenium contamination of groundwater is of great concern due to the potential detrimental effects to human health. Objectives. This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of arsenic, antimony and selenium in the shallow groundwater system of Ibadan metr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pure Earth
2017-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| Subjects: |
| _version_ | 1811201102016675840 |
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| author | Effiong Ukorebi Etim |
| author_facet | Effiong Ukorebi Etim |
| author_sort | Effiong Ukorebi Etim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Arsenic, antimony and selenium contamination of groundwater is of great concern due to the potential detrimental effects to human health.
Objectives. This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of arsenic, antimony and selenium in the shallow groundwater system of Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria.
Methods. A total of 210 groundwater samples were collected from 35 shallow wells (3.15–7.86 m) within the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas of the metropolis during the dry and wet seasons. The average daily dose intake (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) of arsenic, antimony and selenium exposure in groundwater were calculated from these four studied areas for children and adults.
Results. Average concentrations of arsenic, antimony and selenium in groundwater ranged between 2.17±3.49 to 33.8±37.2 μg/L, 13.5±15.0 to 33.2±36.8 μg/L and 7.33±6.22 to 46.3±22.4 μg/L, respectively. A corresponding analysis relay plot showed the order of occurrence of these trace metals in groundwater to be antimony>selenium>arsenic. The principal component analysis biplot showed that arsenic, antimony and selenium were fairly distributed in all of the study areas, suggesting the influence of geogenic factors. A total of 74.3% of sampling locations had antimony levels slightly above the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 20 μg/L. Statistical t testing (0.05 confidence limit) showed a significant difference in seasonal levels of groundwater antimony concentration, with the dry season recording significantly higher levels with 100% of samples exceeding WHO safe limits. The chemical of highest potential human health concern is antimony, with a non-carcinogenic HQ risk factor >2 for both age groups. The overall non-carcinogenic HI was highest in the commercial area, 4.1989 for adults and 5.2487 for children.
Conclusions. Antimony in groundwater within the Ibadan metropolis raises health concerns and a concerted effort is needed to identify its sources to avoid the risk of antimony toxicity.
Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:16:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fa5b59d7551f4aa6923b5db3c7e00b93 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2156-9614 2156-9614 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:16:14Z |
| publishDate | 2017-01-01 |
| publisher | Pure Earth |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| spelling | doaj.art-fa5b59d7551f4aa6923b5db3c7e00b932022-12-22T03:52:15ZengPure EarthJournal of Health and Pollution2156-96142156-96142017-01-01713324110.5696/2156-9614-7.13.322156-9614-7-13.32Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern NigerianEffiong Ukorebi Etim0Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, NigeriaBackground. Arsenic, antimony and selenium contamination of groundwater is of great concern due to the potential detrimental effects to human health. Objectives. This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of arsenic, antimony and selenium in the shallow groundwater system of Ibadan metropolis, southwestern Nigeria. Methods. A total of 210 groundwater samples were collected from 35 shallow wells (3.15–7.86 m) within the residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural areas of the metropolis during the dry and wet seasons. The average daily dose intake (ADD), hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) of arsenic, antimony and selenium exposure in groundwater were calculated from these four studied areas for children and adults. Results. Average concentrations of arsenic, antimony and selenium in groundwater ranged between 2.17±3.49 to 33.8±37.2 μg/L, 13.5±15.0 to 33.2±36.8 μg/L and 7.33±6.22 to 46.3±22.4 μg/L, respectively. A corresponding analysis relay plot showed the order of occurrence of these trace metals in groundwater to be antimony>selenium>arsenic. The principal component analysis biplot showed that arsenic, antimony and selenium were fairly distributed in all of the study areas, suggesting the influence of geogenic factors. A total of 74.3% of sampling locations had antimony levels slightly above the World Health Organization (WHO) safe limit of 20 μg/L. Statistical t testing (0.05 confidence limit) showed a significant difference in seasonal levels of groundwater antimony concentration, with the dry season recording significantly higher levels with 100% of samples exceeding WHO safe limits. The chemical of highest potential human health concern is antimony, with a non-carcinogenic HQ risk factor >2 for both age groups. The overall non-carcinogenic HI was highest in the commercial area, 4.1989 for adults and 5.2487 for children. Conclusions. Antimony in groundwater within the Ibadan metropolis raises health concerns and a concerted effort is needed to identify its sources to avoid the risk of antimony toxicity. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.groundwaterrisk assessmentarsenicantimonyselenium |
| spellingShingle | Effiong Ukorebi Etim Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian Journal of Health and Pollution groundwater risk assessment arsenic antimony selenium |
| title | Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian |
| title_full | Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian |
| title_short | Occurrence and Distribution of Arsenic, Antimony and Selenium in Shallow Groundwater Systems of Ibadan Metropolis, Southwestern Nigerian |
| title_sort | occurrence and distribution of arsenic antimony and selenium in shallow groundwater systems of ibadan metropolis southwestern nigerian |
| topic | groundwater risk assessment arsenic antimony selenium |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT effiongukorebietim occurrenceanddistributionofarsenicantimonyandseleniuminshallowgroundwatersystemsofibadanmetropolissouthwesternnigerian |