ABSTRACT

Limestone mining has been going on for decades in the Amoffia area of Enonyi, and the release of accumulated metallic trace elements and potentially harmful elements is unavoidable. This study assessed the concentration of nickel, lead and zinc in water samples from Amoffia, Ebonyi State. Water sample were collected from a nearby streams at Amoffia Ngbo, Ohaukwa LGA in Ebonyi State. The samples were collected at 3 equidistant positions (N06°29.873, E007°59.132) that were about 10m apart from the quarry site. The result of Nickel concentration showed a non significant (P<0.05) difference in the water sample B and C compared to the control group. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in water sample A compared to the control. There was also a significant (p<0.05) decrease in lead concentration in water sample A compared to the control group. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in Zinc concentration of water sample A, B and C compared to the control group. Nickel concentrations in the total samples ranged from 0.02-0.59mg/l which are above the permissible limits set by WHO (0.1mg/l). The concentration of lead ion recommended by WHO for drinking water is 0.01mg/l and lead concentration from all samples ranged from 0.02 to 0.117mg/l. The concentration of zinc ion in the samples ranged from 0.041 to 0.095 mg/1. The WHO recommended value for zinc in a safe drinking water is 5mg/l. In conclusion, it is obvious that limestone exploration is beneficial to the socio-economic development of the host community but detrimental to their human and environmental health. Water samples were contaminated by nickel, lead and zinc. Therefore, water is not potable and it has to be treated before use