Abstract

Quarrying of rock for construction purposes is a significant industry in Nigeria thus contributing to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This study examined the heavy and trace metal distribution in the water bodies around quarry sites in Ogun State. Geographic Information System approach was used to map eight selected sites namely Isara, Idode, Iwaye, Ogbere, Ilagbe, Adelokun, Baaki Ake and Igodo. A total of 48 samples from surface and ground water were collected and analysed from the eight selected locations for nickel, iron and cadmium, arsenic, nickel and copper (heavy metal) and potassium, silicon, aluminium, magnesium and zinc (trace metal) using standard methods. Sampling was done in dry and wet seasons between November 2015 and July 2017. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using SAS package (9.4 version). Cadmium in surface were higher than WHO limits across all locations in both seasons. Surface water nickel (0.138±0.01 – 0.264±0.01 mg/L) and iron (0.035±0.01 – 0.051±0.01 mg/L) across locations in dry and wet season respectively were higher than their corresponding WHO limits. Ground water (cadmium) were higher than WHO limits across all locations in both seasons. Ground water (iron) across locations (0.030±0.00 – 0.040±0.00 mg/L) in wet season were higher than the WHO limit (0.03 mg/L). None of the trace metal values in surface and ground water across locations surpasses the WHO limit. In conclusion, the water bodies in surrounding localities of quarries were polluted with cadmium, nickel and iron.

Key Words: Trace, Heavy metal, Distribution, Water, Quarries