Abstract
Two documented methods, Contamination index (Cd) and the Heavy metal potential index (HPI) were evaluated for their suitability for contamination monitoring of surface water in parts of southeastern Nigeria. Results show that despite the significant correlation between the data generated from these indices, the final classification gave two extreme results. Thus a third model (Heavy metal evaluation index, HEI) was developed to accommodate this deficiency. The HEI values show significant correlation with Cd and HPI but categorised into semi quantitative classes for proper assessment of pollution level. The HEI values show that 65.5% of the sites are classed as low with values lower than the mean and the remaining 34.5% with values greater than the mean are classed as medium. In contrast, water samples from all the 32 locations were classified as high and low using the Cd and the HPI respectively. However, a reclassification of the Cd and HPI categories using the mean values as a criteria show good comparison with the HEI. The differences in the former can be attributed to the variations in the concentrations of the heavy metals used for the different evaluation schemes.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Backman B., Bodis D., Lahermo P., Rapant S., and Tarvainen 1997: Application of a groundwater contamination index in Finland and Slovakia. Environmental Geology 36(1–;2): 55–;64.
Brown-Adiuku M.E. and Ogezi A.E., 1991: Heavy metal pollution from mining practices: A case study of Zurak. Journal of Mining and Geology 27(2): 205–;211.
Caboi R., Cidu R., Fanfani L., Lattanzi P. and Zuddas P., 1999: Environmental mineralogy and geochemistry of the abandoned Pb-Zn Montevecchio-Ingurtosu mining district, Sardinia, Italy. Chron Rech Miniere 534: 21–;28.
Cross River Basin Development Authority, CRBDA, 1982: Inventory of natural sites conditions-soil slopes, hydrology, landuse and vegetation throughout the area of operation of the authority. Progress report No 4, 145 pp.
Edet A.E. and Ntekim E.E.U., 1996: Heavy metal distribution in groundwater from Akwa Ibom State, eastern Niger delta-A preliminary pollution assessment. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 2(1): 67–;77.
Edet A.E., Merkel B.J. and Offiong O.E., 2002: Trace element hydrochemical assessment of the Calabar coastal plain sand aquifer, southeastern Nigeria using statistical methods. Environmental Geology Online DOI 10.1007/s 00254-0738-1.
Ekwueme B.N., Nyong E.E. and Petters S.W., 1995: Geological Excursion Guidebook to Oban massif, Calabar flank and Mamfe embayment, southeastern Nigeria. Decford Publishing Company, Calabar 37 pp.
Ficklin W.H., Plumee G.S., Smith K.S. and McHugh J.B., 1992: Geochemical classification of mine drainges and natural drainages in mineralised areas. In: Kharaka Y.K. and Maest A.S. (eds), Water-rock interaction. Vol 7. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 381–;384.
Horton R.K., 1965: An index systems for rating water quality. Journal Water Pollution Control Federation 3: 300–;-.
Joung H.M., Miller W.W., Mahammah C.N. and Gultjens J.C.A., 1979: A generalized water quality index based on multivariate factor analysis. Journal Environmental Quality 8: 95–;-.
Landwehr T.M., 1979: A statistical view of a class of water quality indices. Water Resources Research 15: 460–;-.
Mohan S.V., Nithila P. and Reddy S.J., 1996: Estimation of heavy metal in drinking water and development of heavy metal pollution index. Journal Environmental Science and Health A31(2): 283–;-.
Nishidia N., Miyai M., Tada F. and Suzuki S., 1982: Computation of index of pollution by heavy metal in river water. Environmental Pollution 4: 241–;-.
Offiong O.E. and Edet A.E., 1998a: Water quality assessment in Akpabuyo, Cross River basin, southeastern Nigeria. Environmental Geology 34(2/3): 167–;174.
Offiong O.E. and Edet A.E., 1998b: Surface water quality evaluation in Odukpani, Calabar Flank, southeastern Nigeria. Environmental Geology 36(3/4): 343–;348.
Prasad B. and Jaiprakas K.C., 1999: Evaluation of heavy metals in ground water near mining area and development of heavy metal pollution index. Journal Environmental Science and Health A34(1): 91–;102.
Prasad B. and Bose J.M., 2001: Evaluation of heavy metal pollution index for surface and spring water near a limestone mining area of the lower Himalayas. Environmental Geology 41: 183–;188.
Rahman A.M.S., Ukpong E.E. and Azumatullah M., 1981: Geology of parts of Oban massif southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology 18(1): 60–;65.
Rahman A.M.S., Ekwere S.J., Azumatullah M. and Ukpong E.E., 1988: Petrology and geochemistry of granitic intrusive rocks from the western part of the Oban massif, southeastern Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences 7(1): 149–;157.
Reddy S.J., 1995: Encyclopedia of environmental pollution and control. Environmental Media, Karlla, India 1, 342 pp.
Siegel F.R., 2002: Environmental geochemistry of potentially toxic metals. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Tiwary T.N. and Mishra M., 1985: A preliminary assignment of a water pollution index to major Indian rivers. Indian Journal of Environmental Protection 5: 276–;-.
World Health Organisation (WHO), 1993: Guidelines for drinking water quality. Recommendations. Geneva, Switzerland.
Xibao C., Shen Z. and Licheng Z., 1996: A study of the physicochemical speciation of heavy metals in waters of rivers and lakes in the Changjiang River valley, China. Geojournal 40(1–;2): 187–;195.
Yang W., Liensheng Y. and Jianxun Z., 1996: Effect of metal pollution on the water quality in Taiku Lake. Geojournal 40(1–;2): 197–;200.
Yiping H. and Min Z., 1996: The water quality of Lak Taihu and its protection. Geojournal 40(1–;2): 39–;44.
Zhongyi W., 1996: Surface water chemical changes due to human activities in the Tarim Basin. Geojournal 40(1–;2): 25–;29.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Edet, A., Offiong, O. Evaluation of water quality pollution indices for heavy metal contamination monitoring. A study case from Akpabuyo-Odukpani area, Lower Cross River Basin (southeastern Nigeria). GeoJournal 57, 295–304 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GEJO.0000007250.92458.de
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:GEJO.0000007250.92458.de