Evaluation of the heavy metal levels in soil and water from coal mining communities of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Water and soil from Akwuke, Ngwo and Udi were analyzed for their heavy metal content using the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). All the well water samples were found to be higher in heavy metal concentration when compared with the WHO permissible limit, except nickel in drinking water. The soil samples in the three communities were found to have lower concentration of Mn, Cr, Pb, Cd, and Ni when compared to the WHO permissible limit in soil. This study has revealed high concentration of manganese, lead, chromium, cadmium and nickel in water samples in the three studied area Akwuke, Ngwo and Udi, all in Enugu State. Though the concentrations of these heavy metals were not high in any of the soil samples, but high concentration of these heavy metals, compared to WHO/FAO in well water was observed, especially in Udi and Ngwo community. Keywords: Heavy metal, levels, soil and water.