The Biu Volcanic Province is one of the largest Volcanic Provinces in Nigeria covering an area of 5000 km2 with a thickness of 250m. The volcanoes are built up by essentially basaltic materials and are of two textural types namely: the Biu type, which is flow basalts, massive with vesicles, and the Maringa type, highly scoraceous and associated with pyroclastic deposits. Chemical analysis shows total hardness values of the waters in Biu volcanic Province ranges from 70 to 1666 mg/l indicating that the water from boreholes, wells and surface waters are moderate to very hard, therefore, not suitable for both drinking, washing and bathing. Geochemical analysis of the volcanic soil revealed the complete leaching of the major elements (CaO, K2O, MgO, MnO, and TiO2) from the surface soil probably into water sources. This may explain the extremely high Ca and K levels especially in the stream water where they display values of 348mg/l and 36 mg/l as against 200mg/l to 12 mg/l respectively of WHO admissible limits for drinking water. The accumulation of transition metals in the soil (Co 84-111ppm; Cr: 230-441ppm); Ni: 169-237ppm) is geogenic derived from the weathering of the host basaltic rock. Cr, Ni, and Cu do not easily form soluble ions in solution explaining why they display lower levels below their respective WHO admissible limits for drinking water. The absence in the soil profile and the extremely higher values of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) (As, Se, Sb, and Pb) in the spring and stream water as opposed to the lower values in the wells and borehole water suggest their extreme solubility, direct leaching and transportation of these elements from the surrounding rocks into the surface water.The higher values of Zn and Pb (10-40ppm and 246-496ppm respectively) could be explained like for Co, Cr, Ni, by their absorption and retention in clay minerals structure. Most inhabitants of the volcanic province rely on any of these available water sources for their drinking and other domestic purposes. The long-term exposure to Potentially Harmful Elements through the ingestion of water and food could have adverse health hazards. Few of the inhabitants show manifestations of nail deformity (nail thickening and brittleness), and hyper pigmentation of the skin and hand palms. Others present various forms of skin diseases (especially skin growth) which all could be attributed to exposure to As or Se toxicity.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- CHAPTER ONE: General Introduction
- Introduction
- Location, Extent and Accessibility
- Relief and Drainage
- Climate and Vegetation
- Settlement and Land Use
- Aims and Objectives
- Scope of the Studies
- CHAPTER TWO: Literature review
- Introduction
- Effects of Trace Elements in Volcanic Areas
- CHAPTER THREE: Detailed Geology and Hydrogeology of the study area
- Introduction
- Porphyritic and Amygdaloidal Variet.
- Large Phenocryst of Zoned labradorite
- Agglomerates, Tuffs and Brownish Red Basaltic Scoria
- Hydrogeology of the Study Area
- Introduction
- Surface Water
- Lake Tila
- Perennial Stream Water
- Groundwater in the Basalts
- Data Collection
- Data Processing
- Interpretation of Groundwater Map
- Structures
- Joints
- CHAPTER FOUR: Hydrogeochemistry
- Introduction
- Sample Collection and Preservation
- Water Sample Preparations
- Soil Sample Preparations
- Analytical Technique
- CHAPTER FIVE:Result/Discussion
- Presentation of Results
- Water Sample
- MajorElements
- TraceElements
- Soil Sample Analysis Results
- Major Elements
- Trace Elements
- Discussion
- Major Elements in Soil and Water Samples
- Trace Elements in Soil and Water Samples
- Trace Element Exposure And Human Health Impact
- Introduction
- Trace Element Exposure
- Trace Elements and Human Health Impact
- CHAPTER SIX: Summary, Conclusion/Recommendations
- Summary
- Conclusion
- Recommendations
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research aims to investigate the distribution of trace elements in surface and groundwater of the Biu Volcanic Province in Northeastern Nigeria. The study focuses on the potential health impact of these elements on the local population, particularly regarding their toxicity and deficiency. Here are the key themes addressed in the study:- Trace element distribution in soil, surface water, and groundwater in the Biu Volcanic Province.
- The influence of soil composition on the chemistry of water sources in the area.
- Comparison of trace element levels to WHO admissible standards to assess potential health risks.
- The relationship between trace element exposure and human health, particularly the occurrence of nail deformities, skin problems, and other health issues.
- Recommendations for further research and the development of strategies to mitigate the potential health hazards posed by trace element contamination.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter One: General Introduction: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the study area, its location, accessibility, relief, drainage, climate, vegetation, land use, and the aims and objectives of the research. It discusses the importance of trace elements in the environment, their impact on human health, and the need to study their concentration in the Biu Volcanic Province.
- Chapter Two: Literature review: This chapter reviews existing literature on the effects of trace elements in volcanic areas, particularly focusing on the health implications of arsenic, fluorine, and selenium. It presents examples of studies conducted in different parts of the world that highlight the potential health hazards associated with these elements in volcanic environments.
- Chapter Three: Detailed Geology and Hydrogeology of the study area: This chapter details the geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the Biu Plateau, including the different rock types present, the structure of the rocks, and the distribution of surface and groundwater resources. It describes the main aquifer systems, their recharge mechanisms, and the general direction of groundwater flow.
- Chapter Four: Hydrogeochemistry: This chapter outlines the methodologies used in the study, including sample collection procedures, water sample preparation, soil sample preparation, and the analytical technique employed (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry - ICP-OES).
- Chapter Five: Presentation of Results/Discussions: This chapter presents the results of the geochemical analyses of soil and water samples collected in the study area. It includes detailed discussions on the concentrations of major and trace elements in both soil and water, comparing these levels to the WHO admissible standards for drinking water. It also analyzes the potential health implications of the observed trace element levels and examines the evidence of health problems among the local population.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary focus of this research is on trace element hydrogeochemistry in a volcanic environment, particularly within the Biu Volcanic Province of Northeastern Nigeria. The study investigates the distribution of trace elements in soil, surface water, and groundwater, analyzing their potential impact on human health. Key concepts and themes include: * Trace elements * Hydrogeochemistry * Volcanic environment * Biu Volcanic Province * Human health * Soil contamination * Groundwater contamination * WHO standards * Toxicity * Deficiency * Arsenic * Selenium * Lead * Antimony * Health hazards * Medical geology * Environmental geology * Groundwater research- Quote paper
- Adamu Usman (Author), 2012, Trace elements Hydrogeochemistry in surface and ground waters of some part of Biu Volcanic Province, North-Eastern Nigeria: Human Health Impact, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/214684
