Bulletins of Natural and Applied Sciences
Vol. 3(2):21-28
Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination Status of Bakolori Dam Surface Water Using Pollution Indices
1Idris AS, 2Magami IM, 3Ahmad JM, 4Gada MA. 1Department of Applied Sciences Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata-Mafara, Zamfara State; 2Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Life Sciences UDUS, Nigeria; 3D
ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution indices are used to rate aquatic systems, which are useful tools for determining the trace and heavy metal content of water. This study was conducted to evaluate the pollution state of Bakolori Dam in Zamfara State. The water was collected from each of the four study sites using 750 ml plastic bottles. Standard operating protocols of the WHO and UNEP were used for determination of the water samples. The findings indicated that there was a significant amount of iron (Fe), with global mean concentrations exceeding the WHO limit. While within acceptable limit’s area zink, copper and cadmium. The order of the trace heavy metals' total mean concentrations in mg/l was Fe (12.46 mg/l), Zn (0.39 mg/l), Cu (0.19 mg/l), and Cd (0.03 mg/l). Monthly Pollution Index of the Dam was; Metal Pollution Index reached maximum value in December (MPI= 199.17) and its lowest value in June (MPI=3.99). The Trace Metal Pollution Index (TPI) status indicated that April and June had the highest and lowest values obtained, respectively, at TPI=39.47 and TPI=0.35. In comparison to the wet season (18.54 and 6.54, respectively), the dry season had the highest MPI value (85.43) and the greatest TPI value (12.57). Therefore, it is essential to frequently monitor the dam to make sure the water is suitable for drinking and agricultural practices.
