‘Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Wat...

‘Assessment of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water Sources across Gashuatown, Yobe State, Nigeria’

Author Name : Amshi Salamatu Ahmad, Gashua Muhammad Mamman, Aliyu Falmata Modu, Mohammed Garba Tom

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the presence and concentrations of some heavy metals in drinking water sources across Gashua, Yobe State. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the analysis. Cd, Pb, As and Hg were detected in sources of drinking water across all the wards in Gashua with highest concentration of Pb detected at Lawan Musa (0.0500±0.017) and the lowest concentration was at Lawan Fannami (0.0360±0.008), highest concentration of Cd was detected at Zango ward (0.0090), the lowest concentration was detected at Lawan Fannami (0.0010±0.001). The concentration of As was only detected at Lawan Fannami (0.0015±0.002) and Katuzu (0.0013±0.001). The highest concentration of Hg was detected at Lawan Musa ward (0.0040±0.003) and Lawan Fannami ward (0.0015±0.001) respectively.The data generated were compared with World Health Organization standards for drinking water, therefore, the study suggests that the use of these water sources for drinking should be checked and controlled.