Assessment of Toxic and Essential Trace Metals in Unwana Borehole Water in Afikpo North, Ebonyi State

Water samples labeled A, B, C, D and E from five different boreholes in Unwana were analyzed to assess the level of toxicity and essential trace elements present. The results obtained showed slight variation in temperature for all the samples, having sample B, recording the highest values of 28oC. As for pH, sample B recorded a pH of 6.58 which lies within the limits recommended by WHO. For the trace metals, Cd(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), Cr(III) and Zn(II) were present in all the five samples. Cd(II), Pb(II) and Cr(III) concentrations in mg.L-1 exceeded the WHO maximum allowed contaminant limit in all the five samples except for Zn (II) that recorded values in all the five samples that were within the maximum allowed contaminant limit proposed by WHO. From the results obtained therefore, it is evident that some toxic trace elements were present beyond acceptable limits making the borehole water unfit for human consumption and hence will require treatments.