Geochemical Analysis of Water Quality in the Tilden Fulani Area of Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

The relationship between water quality and mining activities in the Tilden Fulani area of Benue State, Nigeria was investigated, primary data on water samples were abstracted from 56 points made up of old mines, pounds, rivers, streams and hand-dug wells. Samples were analyzed for iron (Fe), copper (Cu), lead (Pb),zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) using the Atomic Absorption Spectro-photometer (A.AS). The results obtained showed that Cu and Zn were within limits of general acceptability by the World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Fe, Cd and Pb were found to have had high concentrations above acceptable limits in some wells (Fe 0.05-1.10 ppm; Cd 0.005-0.01ppm and Pb 0.05-1.10ppm). The implications of the findings were discussed with respect to the geology of the study area. The higher values of toxic metals were attributed to mining and anthropogenic activities in the studied area. The research concludes that stringent measures should be taken to properly treat the water in Tilden Fulani for domestic consumption.