Assessment of Some Heavy Metals Concentration and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Water from Bade and Jakusko LGAs of Yobe State
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems by heavy metals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has raised significant global environmental and public health concerns. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and mercury (Hg) are persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate in living organisms. Similarly, PFAS are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products. This study evaluates the concentrations of heavy metals and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples from Bade and Jakusko Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Yobe State, Nigeria. The research highlights the contamination of aquatic systems by heavy metals such as chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb), as well as PFAS, which includes compounds like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Water samples from selected wards in both LGAs were analyzed, and their concentrations were compared with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Results reveal alarming levels of heavy metals, particularly lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which exceeded permissible limits in all sampled locations. PFAS concentrations, though lower than heavy metals, occasionally surpassed EPA-recommended levels for PFOA. For instance, lead levels reached 53.71 mg/L in Katuzu, Bade, and 61.77 mg/L in Katamma, Jakusko, far exceeding the permissible limit of 0.01 mg/L. Similarly, PFOA concentrations in some wards exceeded EPA guidelines, suggesting potential risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. The findings highlight significant environmental and public health implications, emphasizing the urgent need for remediation strategies, improved waste management, and enforcement of water quality standards in these regions.
Authors: Katuzu, M. I., S. A. Kiyawa, M. D. Saeed
Language: English
Topic: Heavy metals in environment
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4405327017