Anani Osikemekha Anthony, Olomukoro John Ovie
Laboratory for Ecotoxicology and Forensic Biology, Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Edo State University Uzairue, Auchi, Nigeria.
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria.
PeerJ. 2021 Nov 29;9:e12487. doi: 10.7717/peerj.12487. eCollection 2021.
Water plays a major role in supporting the wellness and life processes in living things as well as in the ecological structure's stabilities. However, several environmental scientists have recounted the alarming menace unfit water quality portends as well as the shortfalls of its global utilization in various spheres of life. This study aims to determine the fitness of the Ossiomo River and its likely health risk impact when consumed or used for other domestic purposes. The outcome of the physicochemical and heavy metal characterization showed that most of the parameters surpassed the slated benchmarks. Findings from the study revealed a significant difference ( < 0.05) for water temperature, color, TDS, BOD, HCO, Na, Fe, Mn, and THC across the four stations respectively. Meanwhile, pH, salinity, turbidity, TSS, DO, Cl, P, NHH, NO, NO, SO, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and V showed no significant ( > 0.05) across the four stations respectively. The pH level of the water was slightly acidic at the range of 4.40-6.82. The outcome of the computed water quality index showed that station 1 (66.38) was poor for human ingestion which was above the set slated benchmarks of 26-50. However, stations 2-4 (163.79, 161.79, and 129.95) were unsuitable for drinking which was above the set slated benchmarks of 100. The outcome of the health risk evaluation revealed that the hazard quotients (HQs) were considered greater than 1 (>1) for Cr (2.55). The hazard index (0.46) the dermal pathway was <1 while the ingestion (4.35) pathway was >1. The sum of the HQs (4.81) was also > 1. Thus, there are possible non-carcinogenic health risks direct ingestion of the water. The outcome from the carcinogenic risk for Pb, Cr, and Cd (6 × 10, 4.00 × 10, and 1.22 × 10), was somewhat greater than the target goal (1.0 × 10 to 1.0 × 10) of carcinogenic risks stipulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water, respectively, especially for Cd. There might be a potential carcinogenic risk if the water is consumed when the metal contents are higher than the target limits set. Sustainable farming and treatment of wastes from industrial outputs should be the main management of this watercourse.
水在维持生物的健康和生命过程以及生态结构的稳定性方面发挥着重要作用。然而，几位环境科学家描述了水质不佳所带来的惊人威胁以及其在全球各生活领域利用方面的不足。本研究旨在确定奥西奥莫河的水质适宜性及其在被饮用或用于其他家庭用途时可能产生的健康风险影响。理化和重金属特征分析结果表明，大多数参数超过了规定的基准。该研究结果显示，四个站点的水温、颜色、总溶解固体、生化需氧量、碳酸氢根、钠、铁、锰和总烃含量分别存在显著差异（<0.05）。同时，四个站点的pH值、盐度、浊度、总悬浮固体、溶解氧、氯、磷、铵态氮、亚硝酸盐氮、硝酸盐氮、硫酸根、锌、铜、铬、镍、铅和钒含量分别无显著差异（>0.05）。水的pH值呈微酸性，范围在4.40 - 6.82之间。计算得出的水质指数结果表明，站点1（66.38）的水质对于人类饮用较差，高于设定的26 - 50的基准。然而，站点2 - 4（163.79、161.79和129.95）的水质不适宜饮用，高于设定的100的基准。健康风险评估结果显示，铬（2.55）的危害商（HQs）大于1（>1）。经皮途径的危害指数（0.46）小于1，而经口摄入途径的危害指数（4.35）大于1。危害商总和（4.81）也大于1。因此，直接饮用该河水可能存在非致癌健康风险。铅、铬和镉的致癌风险结果（6×10、4.00×10和1.22×10）分别略高于美国环境保护局规定的饮用水致癌风险目标值（1.0×10至1.0×10），尤其是镉。如果水中金属含量高于设定的目标限值时饮用该水，可能存在潜在致癌风险。可持续农业和工业产出废物处理应成为该水道的主要管理方式。
