Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
Assessment of ground water pollution in Itagunmodi, South-West, Nigeria
Adetoyinbo, Adedeji Adedgoke
Department o f Physics, University o f Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 
E-mail: dejiade39@yahoo.com 
Bello, Adekunle Kazeem*
Department o f Physical Sciences, Bells University o f technology, Ota, Nigeria 
E-mail: akbellokazeem@yahoo.com 
Hammed, Olaide Sakiru
Department o f Physical Sciences, Bells University o f technology, Ota, Nigeria 
E-mail: Hammedolaide@yahoo.com 
Abstract
Some investigations have been earned out on geochemical characteristics of soil samples that embedded 
he ore deposits. Physiochemical analysis of water collected within gold mining area and the water 
consumed in the town of Itagunmodi was earned out to determine their hygienic conditions. The major 
objective of this study was to determine the suitability of the available water consumed in the town based 
on the Physiochemical analysis test carried out. In this regards, four major sources of water were 
analyzed. Analysis shows that the water within the town of Itagunmodi was hygienic with the inclusion of 
water within the mining site. The analysis includes; conductivity test, the pH test and others. It was 
noticed that the pH of the sample from the gold mining site was also suitable for drinking according to the 
World Health Organization standard. For a safe drinking water, the pH should be between (6.5 -8.5).
Keywords: Geochemical, Physiochemical analysis, conductivity, gold mining site, water.
1. Introduction
Water is essential to life and must not be considered as ordinary gifts. The need for Physiochemical 
analysis of water is very vital and all sources of water must be known before consumption. Drinking 
water or portable water is water of sufficiently high quality that can be consumed or used with low risk of 
immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce 
and is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually consumed or 
used in food preparation.
In developing countries, not all the water available to all household is of drinking water standard. 
Although, commerce and industrial water supplied is of drinking water standard. Over large part of the 
world, humans have inadequate access to portable water and sources use are contaminated with disease 
vector, pathogens or unacceptable level of toxins or suspended solids. Such water is not portable and 
drinking or using such water in food preparation leads to widespread of acute or chronic illness and is a 
major cause of death and misery in many countries. Reduction of waterborne diseases is a major public 
health goal in developing countries. Typical water supply network deliver portable water from the tap, 
whether it is to be used for drinking, washing or landscape irrigation. One counter example is urban 
China, where drinking water can optionally be delivered by a separate tap, often in the form of distilled 
water or otherwise the regular tap water needs to be boiled.
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
Water has always been an important and life-sustaining drink to humans and is essential to the survival of 
all organisms (Greenhalgh, Alison, March 2001).Excluding fat, water composes approximately 70% of 
the human body by mass.
In many parts of the world the only sources of water are from small streams often directly contaminated 
by sewage. Most water requires some type of treatment before use, even water from deep wells or springs. 
The extent of treatment depends on the source of the water.
In emergency situations when conventional treatment systems have been compromised, water borne 
pathogens may be killed or inactivated by boiling but this requires abundant sources of fuel, and can be 
very onerous on consumers, especially where it is difficult to store boiled water in sterile conditions and is 
not a reliable way to kill some encysted parasites such as Cryptosporidium or the bacterium Clostridium. 
Other techniques, such as filtration, chemical disinfection, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation (including 
solar UV) have been demonstrated in an array of randomized control trials to significantly reduce levels 
of water-borne disease among users in low-income countries (Clasen et, al 2007), but these suffer from 
the same problems as boiling methods.
Clean drinking water is essential to humans and other life forms. Access to safe drinking water has 
improved steadily and substantially over the last decades in almost every part of the world. There is a 
clear correlation between access to safe water and GDP per capita.
In developing this Standard, references were made to the Nigerian Industrial Standards for Potable Water 
and Natural Mineral Water, the National Guidelines and Standards for Water Quality in Nigeria, the 
World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality (3rd Edition) and International 
Organisation of Nigeria (ISO).
Since gold is extremely resistant to weathering and, when freed from enclosing rocks, is carried 
downstream as metallic particles consisting of "dust," flakes, grains, or nuggets. Gold particles in stream 
deposits are often concentrated on or near bedrock, because they move downward during high-water 
periods when the entire bed load of sand, gravel, and boulders is agitated and is moving downstream. Fine 
gold particles collect in depressions or in pockets in sand and gravel bars where the stream current 
slackens. Concentrations of gold in gravel are called "pay streaks." This led to the analysis conducted on 
four water sources in Itagunmodi, western Nigeria. This work investigate the water collected within 
Itagunmodi gold mining site and the water consumed by the people of the town in other to determine the 
hygienic state since not all sources of water are consumable although, the water may appear colourless.
1.1 Location Itagunmodi is located on latitude (DMS) 7031’60” longitude (DMS) 4°39’0” and 
altitude (meters) 347 the time zone is east (est). The approximate population for 7km radius from this 
point is 12655. Itagunmodi is a town very close to towns such as: Ile-Ife, Ilesa and Modakeke all in Osun 
State, Nigeria.
2.0 Soil type The sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits (SHDGD) in Itagunmodi, Osun State, 
Nigeria is located in the clayey soil types derived from variably migmatised gneiss, biotite-and-biotite 
hornblende-gneiss and weathered amphibolites respectively.
2.1 Governing equation
2.1.1 Continuity equation (Conservation of mass):
The continuity equations is a conversation of mass equation for fluid flow. Fluid mass must always be 
conserved in fluid systems. This holds true for pipes, channels, and various other systems. The idea is that
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
the mass into a system cannot disappear along the way, and an equal amount of mass must exit the 
system:
ml —m2 --------------------(1)
where: m = mass or when applied to fluid flow,
2i - Q 2 ----------------(2)
AAV1 ~  P l ^ 2 V 2 (2)
Q = A v ----------------- (4)
where: p = density or mass density (kg/m3, slugs/ft3)
A = cross-sectional area of the flow (m2, ft2), Y = velocity of the flow (ft/sec) and Q = discharge (ft3/sec) 
and normally fluid can be assume to be incompressible so pi=p2 therefore:
Because liquids can be assumed to have constant density over fairly large vertical distances, the 
continuity equation simplifies to:
A V1 = A2V2 --------------(5)
3.0 Experimental evaluation of Physiochemical parameters of ground water
3.1 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is a much more accurate and sensitive method of analyzing wide 
range of metals. The efficiency of detection is increased by overcoming the limitations associated with 
flame photometry. In this process, an atomized sample solution containing the metal is passed through the 
equipment (spectrometers). The atoms of the metal absorb energy when the radiation contains 
wavelengths that can cause the electrons of the metal to undergo transition into higher energy levels. The 
atomized sample absorbs the radiation, the intensity of the radiation is reduced and the reduction in 
intensity of the radiation is proportional to the concentration of the metal present. A radiation emanating 
from a cathode lamp made to pass through the free atoms will be absorbed by the atoms and the extent of 
this absorption is a measure of the concentration of the metal in solution. This absorbed light is actually 
what atomic absorption spectrophotometer picks up as current, amplified and recorded by an instrument 
such as a chart recorder or digital meter. Each metal has specific lamp, however multi- element lamps 
such as those for iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium is also available. Even though atomic absorption 
spectrophotometry can handle a wide range of metals however certain other metals may not be 
determined such as Fr, Ra, Ac, O, C, N, P ,S, all halogens, and all inert gases and these may require the 
use of inductively coupled plasma emission spectrophotometry.
In the analysis, atomic absorption spectrophotometer, (AAS) and Double-Beam atomic absorption 
spectrophotometer were used for the investigation.
3.2 Principle of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) for Trace Element Analysis
The principle of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) is based upon the concept that atoms of an 
element can absorb electromagnetic radiation. This occurs when the element is atomized and the 
wavelength of light absorbed is specific to each element. Thus the atomic absorption spectrophotometer 
comprises an atomizing device, a light source and a detector. A lowering of response in the detector
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
during the atomization of the sample in a beam of light, as a consequence of atomic absorption, can be 
calibrated and is sensitive at the ppm level. The sample was prepared in a solution and aspirated via a 
nebulizer and atomized in an acetylene-air or acetylene- nitrous oxide flame.
3.3 Tests to Determine Overall Water Quality
ALKALINITY- Is the measurement needed to determine corrosivity.
CHLORIDE- High concentrations often indicate contamination by a septic system, fertilizer, a landfill or 
road salt.
CONDUCTIVITY- Measures the ability of water to conduct an electrical current; can be used to signal 
the presence of contaminants.
HARDNESS- Helps determine the need for water softening; also influence corrosivity.
PH- Indicates water’s acidity and helps determine if water will corrode plumbing.
After running the initial set of tests, well users should continue to test for bacteria once in a year. It’s also 
a good idea to test for nitrate annually for several years. However, a nitrate test should always be 
conducted if an infant is drinking the water.
3.4 Results of Physiochemical analysis on four sources of water in Itagunmodi
Deep well (DW) - Itagunmodi town 
Steam (S) - mining site 
Bore-hole (BH) - Itagunmodi town 
Well (W) - Itagunmodi town 
3.4.1 Sample calculation:
The following data were obtained from the analysis of water from Itagunmodi.
„  , , (weight o f  dish + sam ple)-(w eigh t o f  dish)
Total solids = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------(6)
volume o f  sample
Total dissolved solids -  Total solids -  Total suspended s o lid s --------------(7)
Table 1: Showing the parameters analyzed in deep well and stream water
Parameters Deep well (DW) Stream (S)
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
R1 R2 Av R1 R2 Av
PH 7.140 7.100 7.120 7.830 7.830 7.830
Total solid 100.000 100.000 100.000 195.000 205.000 200.000
mg/1
Total 190.000 210.000 200.000 400.000 400.000 400.000
dissolved solid 
mg/1
Conductivity 142.000 144.000 143.000 160.000 158.000 159.000
/US / cm
Total 2.000 2.000 2.000 2.000 2.000 2.000
alkalinity mg/1
Total 220.000 240.000 230.000 350.000 360.000 355.000
Hardness 
CaC03 mg/1
Mg, mg/1 8.600 8.400 8.500 11.900 11.600 11.800
Cl, mg/1 4.600 4.900 4.700 2.100 2.800 2.400
S, mg/1 0.075 0.068 0.072 0.071 0.072 0.072
Pb, mg/1 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Cu, mg/1 0.070 0.060 0.060 0.080 0.120 0.100
Zn, mg/1 0.020 0.040 0.030 0.060 0.060 0.060
Table 2: Showing the parameters analyzed in bore-hole and well water
Parameters Bore-Hole (BH) Well (W)
R1 R2 Av R1 R2 Av
PH 7.410 7.300 7.360 7.420 7.370 7.400
Total solid mg/1 350.000 200.000 275.000 220.000 280.000 300.000
Total dissolved 270.000 330.000 300.000 310.000 290.000 300.000
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
solid mg/1
Conductivity 459.000 455.000 457.000 418.000 416.000 417.000
fjS  / cm
Total alkalinity 3.000 3.000 3.000 2.000 2.000 2.000
mg/1
Total Hardness 370.000 350.000 360.000 290.000 280.000 285.000
CaCC>3 mg/1
Mg, mg/1 28.600 23.400 26.000 33.000 21.500 27.300
Cl, mg/1 8.500 7.100 7.800 3.900 4.600 4.200
S, mg/1 0.093 0.087 0.090 0.125 0.110 0.118
Pb, mg/1 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
Cu, mg/1 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.050 0.030 0.0400
Zn, mg/1 0.020 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.060 0.040
Figure 1: Plot of average parameters for deep well water
Av
250 
200 
150 
100 
50 
0
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lian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
Figure 2: Plot of average parameters for stream water
Figure 3: Plot of average parameters for bore-hole water
Figure 4: Plot of average parameters for well water
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4. Discussion
The acceptable results for pH are values between 6.5 - 8.5 units, this occurs in most natural waters. The 
lower the pH, the more corrosive the water will be. The pH of sample collected from the gold mining site 
is safe drinking water; the average pH value is 7.83. Those samples within the town of Itagunmodi are 
also regarded as safe drinking water; the average pH values lies between 7.12 - 7.40. These values lie 
between the permitted ranges in drinking water quality standard used in Nigeria.
After running the initial set of tests, well users should continue to test for bacteria once in a year. It’s also 
a good idea to test for nitrate annually for several years. However, a nitrate test should always be 
conducted if an infant is drinking the water. Low values are most often caused by lack of carbonate 
minerals, such as calcium and magnesium found in limestone. Water leaking from a landfill may also 
lower pH .Other analysis such as conductivity, total dissolved solids, chlorine, and lead, copper, zinc, and 
falls within the maximum permitted level with reference to Nigeria which are: 1000.00[ iS/ cm,  500.00 
mg I I ,  250.00mg I I ,  0.01 mg I I ,  1.00mg I I ,  and 3.00mg I I .  The maximum permitted level for 
magnesium in Nigeria is 0.20 mg 11, this value depend on consumer acceptability e.t.c., can be used to 
confirm the water samples as been hygienic for human consumption.
5. Conclusion
It conclusion, the result of the analysis carried out shows that the four sources of water in Itagunmodi 
were hygienic for human consumption.
6. Recommendation
Human activities such as the use of chemicals in agriculture, effluent from homes, and sewage disposal 
are all factors that contaminate water. Hence, it was recommended that physiochemical analysis should be
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Canadian Journal on Scientific and Industrial Research Vol. 3 No. 2, February 2012
carrying out from time to time. At least once every three years. And on site drinking water systems shall 
be checked at least every 3 years.(Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 554: 2007)
7. References
1. Greenhalgh, Alison (March 2001). “Healthy living-Water” BBC Health. Retrieved 2007 page 02- 
19.
2. Clasen, et, al 2007 page 03-12). “Interventions to improve water quality for preventing diarrhea: a 
systematic review and mata-analysis”. British Medical Journal 334(7597): 782.
3. World Health Organization, Geneva (2004). “Guidelines for drinking water-Quality Volume 1: 
recommendations” 3rd, Edition.
4. Nigerian Industrial Standard NIS 554: 2007 pp 1-30
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