Assessement of Radiation and Determination of Heavy Metals in Underground Water in Oju, Obi and Otukpo Local Government Areas of Benue State

Abstract

Assessment of radiation and determination of heavy metals in underground water was achieved with the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer PG990 (AAS) in the determination of heavy metals at Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry in Benue State University, Makurdi. Radiation Alert Meter was used to assess the radiation level on the water at the respective study centers. The investigation showed average radiation from borehole water in the samples to range from 0.003μSv/hr to 0.020μSv/hr and was below the recommended value which guaranteed an exposure level lower than 0.10 mSvy1. Also, the average radiation from hand dug water ranges from 0.003 μSv/hr to 0.017 μSv/hr which amounted to an exposure lower than 0.1 mSvy-1. Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Nickel (Ni) and Lead (Pb) were identified as heavy metals from both the hand dug well and the borehole water. The result showed safety in the use of these two sources of water.