Estimation of some trace metal pollutants in River Atuwara southwestern Nigeria and spatio-temporal human health risks assessment. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Emenike, PraiseGod Chidozie; Neris, Jordan Brizi; Tenebe, Imokhai Theophilus; Nnaji, Chidozie Charles; Jarvis, Peter
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 239(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: River atuwara -- Pollution -- Health risk assessment -- Trace metals -- Southwestern Nigeria; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Over twenty thousand persons rely on water from Atuwara River for drinking and other domestic purposes, hence the need to ascertain the human health risk inherent in such practice. Seventy-two water samples were collected from River Atuwara during the dry and wet seasons of 2018, and the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, As, Ni, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Cd) were measured using ICP-OES. A newly developed human health risk assessment method, HHRISK code was used to estimate the health risks associated with consumption of water from Atuwara River. Results obtained revealed that the concentration of heavy metals in the river was as follows: Cd < Ni < Pb < Cr < Cu < As < Zn in the wet season and Cd < Pb < Ni < Cu < Cr < As < Zn during the dry season. Principal component analysis suggested that industrial effluents, agricultural activities and base-rock interaction are responsible for pollution of Atuwara River. The cumulative hazard index ( HIcum ) obtained was 678.0 ± 36.8 (for adult) and 1392.0 ± 132 (for child) for non-carcinogenic risks. A cumulative carcinogenic risk ( CRcum ) of 1.01E–1±5.26E–3 and 4.96E–2±5.05E–3 was obtained for adult and children respectively, suggesting that up to 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 20 children may suffer from cancer over their lifetime as a result of consumption and exposure to water from River Atuwara. These results highlight the fact that unavailability of safe drinking water in many parts of the world remains a real and persistent risk which must be tackled. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Water quality and trace metals were investigated and compared with stipulated guidelines. Cumulative carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were extremely high. As is responsible for the carcinogenic risk experienced in more than 50% of the location analysed. There is a probability of developing cancer in 1 out of 10 adults and in 1 out of 20 children.