Full Project – Assessment of iodine and magnesium in drinking water in some flood affected areas of Bayelsa state

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CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of study

The challenge of ensuring usable water in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of human and ecosystems emerged as one of the primary issues of the 21^st century. Poor water quality could cause serious health problems, reduce agricultural productivity and economic prosperity of communities. Problems of this nature have been increasing in scope, frequency, and severity because the demand for water continues to grow while supply of renewable water remains relatively fixed. While it is agreed that water is one of the most important resources with great implications for African development, the freshwater situation in Africa is unfortunately not encouraging. The situation is getting worse as a consequence of population growth, rapid urbanization, increasing agriculture and industrial activities, and lack of adequate capacity to manage freshwater resources. Bayelsa state is a wetland in Niger Delta with possible serious problems of availability of portable water. All the surface water bodies in the state are pollution-laden and hence there is the need to resort to groundwater for consumable water. Groundwater includes all water found beneath the surface of the Earth. It is derived primarily by percolation of atmospheric or surface water and contained in pore spaces of permeable reservoir rocks (Ayoade, 2003), this makes it a replenishable resource unlike other resources of the Earth. In any geological environment, groundwater chemistry is controlled by the chemistry of the infiltrating water, the chemistry of the porous media including the interstitial cement or matrix of the aquifer, the rate of groundwater flow and the permeability of the aquifer (Offodile, 2002). More than 85% of public water for consumption is sourced from groundwater (Ufoegbune et al, 2009), and this is used for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes.

Trace metals, among a wide range of contaminants, are consistently of health concern due to their toxicity potentials at very low concentrations, and tendency to bioaccumlate in tissues of living organisms over time (Ikejimba and Sakpa, 2012). They gain entrance into human systems via contaminated drinking water, food and air. Once in the body, the bioavailable form of these metals can compete with, and displace essential minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium and calcium; and interfere with organ system function (Wu et al., 2012).

Toxic metals such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), thallium (Tl) and lead (Pb) have no beneficial effects in humans, as such long-term exposure may cause more severe disruptions in the normal functioning of the organ systems where the metals are accumulated. Pb, for example, is associated with a wide range of negative pregnancy outcomes, including early membrane rupture and spontaneous abortion, erectile dysfunction, and contributes to cardiovascular diseases (EPA 1986). Metals such as As, Mn, Ti, Cd, Cr, V, Co, Cu, Fe, Pb, Ni, Zn and their compounds have been shown to be initiators or promoters of carcinogenic activity in animals. Also, Be, Sb, Al, Hg, Ni, Cd and Co can cause adverse reproductive/fertility problems (Nriagu, 1988).

However, as micronutrients, some trace metals such as zinc, copper, iron and manganese are required by the body in small amounts for metabolic activities. These same elements, at higher concentrations can cause adverse health effects or illness (Valavanidis and Vlachogianni, 2010). Zinc toxicity leads to diarrhea (Osibanjo and Majolagbe, 2012), manganese may hamper the intellectual development of the child (Buschmann et al., 2008). Iron has been associated with genetic and metabolic diseases and, repeated blood transfusions (Fraga and Oteiza, 2002) and copper toxicity is related to several health concerns, including stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,cancer, liver damage and kidney disease (EPA,2013).

In Nigeria, public and private water supplies are not sufficiently monitored by regulatory agencies such as National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) and National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) respectively, resulting in proliferation and distribution of unsafe and substandard drinking water. However, taking cognizance of the far-reaching health consequences of deteriorating drinking water quality in the country, it has become imperative to comprehensively investigate the amounts of chemical constituents of these water sources. Therefore, this research work is aimed at assessing the concentrations of Iodine and Magnesium from different drinking water sources from some flood affected areas in Bayelsa state. It also attempted to determine the trace metal pollution indices as well as compare the observed concentrations with the water quality permissible limits specified by the World Health Organization and Standard Organization of Nigeria in non-flood affected areas.

1.2 Water pollution

Water pollution refers to the introduction of harmful substances into the water which alters the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of the water. This makes the water unsafe for consumption by humans, animals, and plants. Water pollution has become a major problem in developing countries of the world, and this is as a result of indiscriminate depositions of untreated effluents and other wastes (Nair and Kani, 2017; Adewunmi and Ajibade, 2015; Ajibade et al., 2014). The availability of treated and clean water is a major challenge in developing and undeveloped countries, making dwellers result to using surface-water as source of drinking and other domestic use.

1.3 Effects of water pollution

Drinking of this polluted water has deleterious effect on the health and well-being of individuals. Consumption of polluted water can cause cancer of the lungs, bladder and liver. Consumption of water polluted with heavy metals can cause kidney and lungs damage, and also bone fragility. Ingestion of Lead-containing water (even at low concentrations of Lead) can cause brain damage, kidney damage, it hampers learning, memory loss, attention and response functions in children (Verma & Schneider, 2017; Sun et al., 2017).

1.4 Statement of problem

Flood is a natural disaster that brings about unpleasant effects. One of such unpleasant effects of flooding is contamination of drinking water (underground water). Contamination of underground water leads to toxicity of the water. Flooding brings about decomposition of chemicals/elements in the underground water which is gotten from dead matter that is brought in by flood. Some of these element are beneficial to human health if it is in the appropriate concentration set by the regulatory bodies (WHO and SON) but if it is more or less than the set standard it may lead to health hazard. Therefore, this has spurred the researcher into assessing the concentration of these element in some flood affected areas in Bayelsa state and compare with non-flood affected areas.

1.5 AIM

To assess the concentration of iodine and magnesium in drinking water in some flood affected areas of Bayelsa state and compare with WHO drinking water standard, using that of non-flooded areas as a control in order to get accurate report.

1.6 Objectives of the study

This research work aimed at the following:

To analyze the level of Iodine and Magnesium concentration in drinking water in some flood affected areas of Bayelsa state.

To analyze the level of iodine and Magnesium concentration in drinking water in some areas of Bayelsa state not affected by flood.

Compare the results obtained with that obtained from areas not affected with flood and WHO drinking water standard to know if the raise or low concentration of these element is due to flood or not.

Contribute to the knowledge which may be of interest to the government and researcher.

1.7 Significance of the study

This research is most beneficial to government agencies in charge of health and environment. The increase flooding activities in the Bayelsa state has brought about adverse effect on the health of the people which is due to contamination of drinking water.

Therefore, this project work aim to sensitize on the problem of contamination of drinking water by flood in some areas of Bayelsa state.

1.8 Scope of study

Assessment of trace element concentration in drinking water is not only for suitability for human consumption but also in relation to the effect brought about by flood.

Assessing of trace element concentration in drinking water is therefore a fundamental tool in the monitoring of the effect of flood.

Thus, the trace element concentration in drinking water of some affected areas in Bayelsa state will be check and compare with concentration of trace element in drinking water of non-flood affected area with the WHO standard for drinking water.

1.9 Research questions

The research aim at answering the following questions:

What effect has flooding on the concentration of trace elements?

The level of concentration of these element, are there above or less than the standard?

Does flooding have any effect on the level of concentration of trace element?

What is the cause of variation of the concentration of these elements in the different sample location?

1.10 FLOOD

Flooding is one of the major environmental crises one has to contend within the century. This is especially the case in most wetlands of the world. The reason of this is the general rise in sea level globally, due to global warming as well as the saturated nature of the wetlands in the Niger Delta. Periodic floods occur on many rivers, forming a surrounding region known as flood plain. Rivers overflow for reasons like excess rainfall. The good thing about river overflows is the fact that as flood waters flow into the banks, sand, silt and debris are deposited into the surrounding land. After the river water subsided and go back to its normal flow, the deposited materials will help make the land richer or more fertile. The organic materials and minerals deposited by the river water keep the soil fertile and productive, it also contaminate underground water (Abowei and Sikoki, 2005).

Flood occurs when ponds, lakes, riverbeds, soil and vegetation cannot absorb all the water. During flooding water supplies that result in contamination of water (water pollution). Clean

drinking water becomes scarce. Unhygienic conditions and Spread of water-borne diseases result. (Adelye and Rustum, 2011).

1.10.1. Causes of flooding

1.10.2. Climate change

Climate Change is an attributed cause of flooding because when the climate is warmer it results to:

Heavy rains.

Relative sea level will continue to rise around most shoreline.

Extreme sea levels will be experienced more frequently.

1.10.3. Human causes

Burst water main pipes.

Dam burst leave failure.

Dam spills.

1.10.4 Effect of flooding

Flooding can directly affect: the health and wellbeing of wildlife and livestock: riverbank erosion and sedimentation: the dispersal of nutrients and pollutants: surface and groundwater supplies: and local landscapes and habitats.

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