Assessment Of The Physiochemical and Metal Contents in Groundwater from Mechanic Workshops in Ozoro, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of artisan vehicle maintenance activities on the groundwater was evaluated in this research.  Groundwater was sampled in nine clusters of vehicle mechanic workshops in Ozoro town, Delta State, Nigeria. The assessment of physicochemical properties and heavy metal contents of groundwater (borehole) quality were evaluated. Nine water samples labeled A-I and a control sample were collected from boreholes at different locations in Ozoro town and subjected to laboratory examination in order to determine the pH, total suspended solid (TS), water temperature (⁰C), total dissolved solid (TSS), biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved oxygen (DO), hardness, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and concentration of phosphates, nitrates, lead, sodium, calcium, fluoride and chloride. The pH and DO in the water samples are indications of the acidity or alkalinity and portability of drinking water in line with the Nigeria Standard for Drinking Water Quality standards. The NSDWQ, 2017 standards for pH value and DO are specified within the range of 6.5-8.5 and 5mg/l respectively. However, the pH and DO values obtained from the samples are A(6.6, 6.1 ), B(7.1, 5.5), C(7.5, 6.4), D(6.8, 4.4), E(7.0, 6.8), F(7.2, 6.2), G(7.1, 4.8), H(7.4, 5.1), I(6.7, 4.8) and control (7.7, 5.9). Evidently, the DO values in the water from all the sample points are higher than the 5mg/l set by NSDWQ. The water samples  further reveals that, apart from sample points H and I which shows values less than the neutral pH scale of 7, all other samples indicated that the water is more alkaline with values greater than 7 and therefore mean that the suitable for consumption