ASSESSMENT OF HEAVY METAL STATUS IN DOMESTIC WATER SOURCES IN JALINGO, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study investigates the quality of domestic water sources in Jalingo Metropolis. To this end, 22 water samples were collected from bore holes (14), hand dug wells (6) and surface water (2) and analyzed for physiochemical parameters and some heavy metals. The physiochemical parameters were measured using standard methods while the heavy metals were analyzed using Air-acetylene Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (220 FS BUCK Scientific model). Results showed that the concentration of these heavy metals were within the World Health Organization (WHO) maximum permissible limit. The result indicated that the water sources are recommended for domestic purposes, however, if indiscriminate sinking of bore holes and dumping of refuse and other anthropogenic emissions are not checked there is likelihood of increased concentration of these metals in the future