Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals Contamination of Groundwater in Neighborhood Communities of Shagamu Industrial Layout, Nigeria
Heavy metals contamination of groundwater has been of public health concern in recent years because of their implication in human health and environment. This study therefore assesses heavy metals contamination in groundwater from selected communities in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria. Fifty groundwater samples were purposively collected for Physicochemical and heavy metals determination, and also spatial distribution maps of selected heavy metals were produced using Arc GIS software. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Physicochemical results of groundwater revealed that the water was acidic with low conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS). The levels of arsenic and chromium were found to be within the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) while that of Pb and Cd were above MCL. The spatial distribution showed that there was predominantly high concentration of lead across the study area and cadmium was predominantly high especially in area close to industries. This study concludes that the population is at risk to heavy metals toxicity and acidic water, thereby making the water unsafe for drinking. Therefore, it recommends routine environmental monitoring and comprehensive treatment of groundwater source for areas situated close to industrial layout.
