Toxic Metal Concentrations in Drinking Water and Possible Effect on Sex Hormones among Men in Sabongida-Ora, Edo State, Nigeria

Drinking water can be a potential source of toxic metals, which are a known leading cause of infertility in men. This study determines the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) in drinking water (borehole, hand-dug well and treated water) and sex hormone levels (serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PROL), estradiol (E2), progesterone (PROG), and testosterone (T) in males who drink water mainly from these sources. The concentrations of Cd, and Pb in hand-dug wells were higher than the permissible limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) while Zn and Cu were within the permissible levels in drinking water. Blood Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) among subjects who consumed hand-dug and borehole water than treated water, while serum Zn was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than in control subjects. Also, serum FSH (p < 0.001), LH (p < 0.001), E2 (p < 0.002), PROG (p < 0.04) and T (p < 0.001) were significantly lower among hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than controls, while PROL (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than controls. Blood Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in hand-dug well water consumers than borehole water consumers. The consumption of water from hand-dug wells may have adverse reproductive sequelae among consumers.

An Appraisal of Borehole Water Quality Index in Selected Areas within Owerri Metropolis, Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria

Borehole water is one of the major sources of potable water in most developing countries of the world. Therefore, it becomes imperative to evaluate the continuing portability of these sources of water to the populace. The present study was undertaken to appraise the water quality of selected boreholes in Owerri Metropolis using the water quality index (WQI) method. Samples were collected from five different locations under stringent protocols. The water samples were analyzed for selected physicochemical properties and compared with WHO permissible limits and American Public Health Association. Results showed that the assayed parameters were within WHO permissible limits except Turbidity in Locations 2, 3 and 4. Water quality index ranged from 24.91 to 70.06. This study revealed that the investigated borehole waters are mostly portable and can be consumed. Nonetheless, the sources identified to be of poor quality should be treated before consumption.

Effect of some toxic metals in drinking water on male reproductive hormones

Objective: Drinking water contaminated with toxic metals can be a leading cause of infertility in males. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of some toxic metals and trace elements in drinking water and reproductive hormone levels in males who drink water from these sources in Sabongida-Ora , Edo State, Nigeria. Material and Methods: A total of 90 subjects consisting of 30 subjects who drink borehole water, 30 subjects who drink water from hand-dug well, and 30 subjects who drink table water, aged between 18 and 45 years, were recruited for this study. Serum reproductive hormones were analyzed using ELISA method. Blood lead, cadmium, serum zinc, and copper were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: Blood Cd and Pb levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in hand-dug, borehole and treated water consumers while serum Zn level was significantly lower P<0.05) in hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than treated table water consumers. The serum Cu level was not significantly different between the groups. The reproductive hormones were significantly lower among hand-dug well and borehole water consumers than treated table water consumers (p<0.05), while PROL(P<0.05) was significantly higher among hand-dug well, borehole water consumers than treated water consumers. Serum PROL correlated positively with Pb (r=0.443; P<0.05) and negatively with serum Zn (r=-0.404; P<0.05) while T correlated positively (r=0.542; P<0.005) with Zn. Similarly, FSH correlated negatively with Pb (r=-0.398; P<0.05) and positively with Zn (r=0.422;P<0.05), while LH correlated inversely with Cd (r=-0.622;P<0.05) and positively with Zn (r=0.745; P<0.05). Expectedly, Cd and Pb were higher while Cu and Zn were lower in hand-dug well water consumers than borehole water consumers. Conclusion: Water consumption from hand-dug wells may have adverse reproductive sequelae among consumers.

Assessing the potential of Khayasenegalensis in phytoremediation of heavy metals under borehole water and tannery effluent irrigation

Khayasenegalensis was planted on soil irrigated with tannery effluent and borehole water for duration of three months. Plant samples were collected after harvest and soil samples were collected before planting and after harvesting. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals in the planting media and plant tissues. The aim was to establish the phytoremediation potential of Khayasenegalensis under these conditions. After harvesting, a noticeable decrease in the concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu Ni, Pb and Zn in the media was observed from the initial values. The highest levels of Cd (5.53±0.56mg/kg), Cr (13.99±0.82mg/kg), Pb(10.6110.61±0.57mg/kg, Ni (8.33±2.78mg/kg)and Zn(25.72±0.00 mg/kg) accumulation were found in the roots, whereas the highest Cu (7.29±1.80mg/kg) concentrations was observed in the shoot. The roots of Khayasenegalensis were found to be suitable for the phytostabilization heavy metals in both the tannery effluent and borehole water irrigated media. In addition, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb mainly accumulated in the Khayasenegalensisroots. The results of translocation factors (TF) and bioconcentration factors (BCF) of Khayasenegalensis for heavy metals revealed that Khayasenegalensis is an excluder plant for Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn and a potential accumulator plant for Cu serving as an ideal remediation plant for this metal. Furthermore, the increasing heavy metal contents in soil that have been irrigated with tannery effluent resulted in the accumulation of these metals inKhayasenegalensis.

Etude De La Contribution Des Forages Dans L’amélioration De L’accès À L’eau Potable Dans Le Quartier De N’Tabacoro Cité Extension À Bamako

N’Tabacoro cité extension est une zone résidentielle à la périphérie du District de Bamako où il n’y a pas de réseau d’AEP. La plupart des ménages, pour s’approvisionner en eau, font recours aux forages d’eau privés, souvent dans des conditions physiques et économiques très difficiles. Pour comprendre les conditions d’accès à l’eau de la population, cette étude s’est proposée d’analyser l’apport des forages dans l’amélioration de l’accès à l’eau potable dans le quartier de N’Tabacoro cité extension. La méthodologie s’est basée sur l’approche terrain qui nous a permis de collecter des données auprès d’un échantillon de 15 gérants et/ou propriétaires de forages et de 30 ménages (clients). Des informations géographiques : images satellitaires raster, ficher de forme vectoriel et coordonnées des forages, ont aussi été collectées. L’analyse de ces données nous a permis d’évaluer des indicateurs socio-économiques et géographiques d’accessibilité à l’eau potable dans la zone d’étude. L’étude a révélé que les forages constituent la seule source pérenne d’approvisionnement en eau dans la zone, et la plus appréciée par la population comme eau de boisson, de cuisine et de vaisselle du fait de sa qualité meilleure.L’achat d’eau de forage représente 84,3% des dépenses globales des ménages dans l’eau. Ces derniers, avec une dépense moyenne journalière dans l’eau de 273 FCFA/ménage au profit des propriétaires de forage, payent 7 à 13 fois plus cher que le tarif social de la SOMAGEP appliqué pour les clients raccordés au réseau d’AEP. Régulièrement, 55% des ménages parcourent entre 200 m et 600 m, à pieds pour certains, pour accéder aux forages à cause de leur faible densité. Aussi, 33,3% des ménages n’appliquent pas les bonnes pratiques de stockage de l’eau de consommation dans les foyers. D‘énormes efforts des pouvoirs publics sont necessaires pour arriver à un accès équtable à l’eau dans ce quartier. N’Tabacoro Cité Extension is a residential area on the outskirts of Bamako District where there is no DWS system. Most households rely on private boreholes for their water supply, which is often under very difficult physical and economic conditions. To understand the condition of access to water for the population, this paper focuses on analyzing the contribution of boreholes in improving access to drinking water in the district of N'Tabacoro Cité Extension. The methodology was based on the field approach which was used to collect data from a sample of 15 managers and / or owners of boreholes and 30 households (clients). Geographical information such as raster satellite images, vector form files, and borehole coordinates were also collected. The analysis of these data made it possible to assess socio-economic and geographic indicators of accessibility to drinking water in the study area. The study revealed that boreholes are the only sustainable source of water supply in the area. It is the most appreciated by the population because it is used fordrinking, cooking, and dishwashing due to its better quality. The purchase of borehole water represents 84.3% of overall household spending on water. The latter, with an average daily expenditure in water of CFAF 273 / household for the benefit of borehole owners, pay 7 to 13 times more than the SOMAGEP social tariff applied for customers connected to the DWS network. Regularly, 55% of households travel between 200m and 600m, some on foot, to access the boreholes because of their low density. Also, 33.3% of households do not apply good drinking water storage practices in households. Huge government efforts are needed to achieve equitable access to water in this area.

Participation in Community Development Micro Projects in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Implications for Social Work Education and Practice

This study sought to investigate factors militating against community participation in development projects executed under the Micro Projects Programme and how to reduce such factors to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire, an in-depth interview (IDI) guide and a focus group discussion (FGD) guide were used for data collection. Borehole water, generator-house, health centres, staff quarters and markets were the projects executed. Inadequate devolution of power to the grassroots, among others, was the major problem that hindered involvement of community members in the development process of the Micro Projects Programme in the study areas. To enhance active participation of beneficiaries in the development process of the programme, suggestions are proffered.

Analysis of borehole water accessibility in Samaru Community, Zaria Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Purpose: This study is aimed at analyzing the water accessibility in Samaru Community, Zaria Metropolis, in Nigeria with a borehole as the center for attraction. Research methodology: Questionnaires, interview, and observation methods were applied in data collection and systematic sampling was adopted in selecting the respondents. The questionnaires were administered from January 2021 to August 2021. Results: The results revealed that the hand pump borehole was the major source of water supply in the study area with 71%. The consumption of water per capita of the majority of respondents, 61%, was less than 30 liters against WHO standards. Then, 59% of respondents cover a distance of between 1-2 km to get access to their water supply. Findings further revealed that cooking use of borehole water was 38% against drinking that is 24%. Additionally, some water-borne diseases like typhoid fever and cholera were reported in some cases. Limitation: The issue at hand virtually affects the whole of the metropolis but eight researchers could not cover all sections because of the limitation of time. Contribution: Research on the provision of clean water and sanitation cannot be overemphasized as they are objective six of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) because of their importance in life.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PHYSICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BOREHOLE WATER IN KOGI STATE

Water is an essential part of human existence. It is universally utilized for various purposes ranging from drinking to other domestic purposes. The need for access to water has been a significant challenge for governments all over the world. In Nigeria, there is a growing concern about the water shortage in various communities across the country. In a bid to overcome water scarcity, the government providesboreholes in many places. However, the inadequacy of functional public boreholes has led to the proliferation of private boreholes across the country, which the quality is doubtful. The purpose of the present study was to compare the physical and bacteriological compositions of the public and private boreholes in Kogi state, Nigeria. A total of ten water samples were collected from different public and private boreholes in three locations in the state. Standard procedures were followed in analyzing the samples. The analysis revealed the presence of salmonella spp, Escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa in the private boreholes.

Water Richness Zoning and Evaluation of the Coal Seam Roof Aquifer Based on AHP and Multisource Geological Information Fusion

Roof water disaster is one of the most serious disasters in the process of coal mine safety mining in China. The thickness of modern comprehensive mechanized coal mining is large, which has a great impact on the roof aquifer, and the threat degree of water disaster is also increasing. Therefore, the evaluation of the water richness of the roof aquifer is an important work for coal mine water prevention and control. In order to systematically evaluate the water-rich property of an aquifer in a coal seam roof, this paper couples multisource geological information based on an analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The characteristics of the roof aquifer, hydrogeology, and structure are determined to be the main control factors of K2 limestone water richness evaluation. Under the main control factors, seven independent water richness evaluation indexes, including aquifer depth, aquifer thickness, borehole water level, borehole water consumption, faults, folds, and collapse columns, are divided, and a normalized water richness coupling evaluation model is constructed, which realizes the zoning and evaluation of a water-rich aquifer in a coal seam roof.