Open AccessAssessment of Selected Heavy Metals Levels In Borehole Water In Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, Kenya.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of science and technolgy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-5660
DOI - 10.46243/jst.2020.v6.i1.pp09-15
Subject(s) - cadmium , mercury (programming language) , atomic absorption spectroscopy , zinc , manganese , environmental chemistry , chromium , environmental science , contamination , human health , heavy metals , pollution , chemistry , environmental engineering , metallurgy , materials science , ecology , medicine , physics , environmental health , quantum mechanics , computer science , biology , programming language
The study was carried out to assess the levels of heavy metals in ground water sampled from ten selectedborehole sites in Ongata Rongai town, Kajiado County. The levels of selected heavy metals analyzed were: Zinc,Lead, Mercury, Manganese, Cadmium and Chromium in dry and wet seasons the analysis was done by FlameAtomic Absorption Spectroscopy. Seasonal variation was considered as an aspect of pollution to the subsurfaceenvironment where there was no obvious observable environmental degradation or where unknown contaminantscould have been disposed of, privately, without any matrix being charged. The analysis of water samples was doneusing Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and the results for the metal levels were in the range of: Zinc BelowDetectable Limits- 0.73±0.01 (mgl-1); lead 0.21±0.01- 0.33±0.01 (mgl-1), mercury 0.0010 ± 0.0001 -0.0019±0.0001(mgl-1); 0.256±0.01 (mgl-1); manganese 0.03±0.01- 0.26±0.01 (mgl-1). Cadmium and chromium hadlevels below detectable limits in dry and wet seasons. The levels of zinc and manganese were higher in the dryseason than those recommended by World Health Organization of 3.0mgl-1 and 0.01mgl-1respectively. The presenceof the heavy metals in the borehole water is of concern since they could impact negatively on human health even atlow levels due their accumulation. Stringent management and public awareness are required in order to safeguardthe environment and human health in Ongata Rongai town.