Assessment of the Impacts of Metal Recycling on Ground Water Quality in Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria

The study assessed groundwater around a metal recycling plant in Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria to determine its environmental impact as it relates to water quality. This was necessitated by the potential threat of metal contamination and associated health implications arising from various recycling activities being carried out in the area. Data from a total of twelve (12) water samples were collected from all available boreholes and wells found within and outside the metal recycling industrial area. The physico-chemical characteristics such as pH, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) were analyzed using a multifunctional digital pH meter while heavy metal content for Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), and Cadmium (Cd) were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results indicated a mean pH, TDS and EC values of 5.90084, 122.6108mg/l and 204.6108mg/l respectively within and outside the facility whi ch were below the range of WHO/NSDWQ permissible limit for groundwater. All heavy metals analyzed were below detection except for Zinc (Zn) with mean value of 0.0148mg/l in both sample areas and were below the range of permissible limits. The pH value below the permissible limit range signified that the water is acidic and may pose serious health risks to people who drink the water. The Iron and Steel Recycling Industry might have contributed to the acidic levels of this parameter in addition to the natural content of the soil. Therefore, the activities of metal recycling industries can potentially contaminate groundwater within its vicinity if proper mitigation measures are not put in place.