Evaluating Water Quality and Health Risks: A Study of Aisin River and Sediment Contamination in Eripa, Osun State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53704/Keywords:
Water quality index,, Heavy metals,, Hazard quotient,, Carcinogenic risk,, Physicochemical parametersAbstract
This study assessed water quality and potential health risks from heavy metal contamination in the Aisin River, a key surface water source in Eripa, Osun State, Nigeria. Water and sediment samples were collected from five strategic locations and analysed for physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations. Sample digestion followed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method, and metals were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The weighted arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI) was used to evaluate water quality, while human health risks were assessed using hazard quotient (HQ) and carcinogenic risk (CR) models for ingestion, dermal, and inhalation pathways in adults and children. WQI values ranged from 51.94 to 77.95, classifying the water as “poor” to “very poor.” Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, and As in water exceeded the WHO permissible limits. Cr levels in water at L1 were significantly lower (p<0.05) than at the other sites, whereas Zn levels at L1 were significantly higher (p<0.05). In sediments, Pb, Cd, Cr, and As were significantly elevated at L1 (p<0.05), suggesting localised contamination. Overall, sediments showed higher metal concentrations than water (p<0.05). Ingestion was the dominant route of exposure, with children more vulnerable than adults. HQ values for children via sediment ingestion exceeded 1 at several sites. Although carcinogenic risks remained within acceptable limits (10⁶–10⁴), they were highest through ingestion. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted pollution control, sustainable land-use practices, and continuous environmental monitoring to protect public health and the aquatic ecosystem.
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