INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue X, October 2025
www.ijltemas.in Page 562
Trace Elements Determination and Health Risk Assessment of
Groundwater Quality in Southern Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria
*Ndaks, B. I
1
., *Abashiya, D. O
2
1
Department of Chemistry, Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya
2
Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Kaduna State University, Nigeria
Correspondance Autho
DOI: https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.1410000072
Received: 02 October 2025; Accepted: 08 October 2025; Published: 10 November 2025
Abstract: Groundwater contamination is a growing concern for water quality. This study examined the concentration of trace
elements in groundwater and their implications to human health in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. A stratified random sampling
technique was adopted in stratifying the twelve (12) local government areas into four strata, while the sampling locations were
selected using a purposive sampling technique. Fourty groundwater samples were collected, that is, twenty (20) samples from
hand-dug wells and twenty (20) samples from boreholes. Furthermore, the concentrations of lead (Pb), chromium (Cr),
manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were determined by direct aspiration into an air-acetylene flame using a Buck Scientific
235 atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) and compared with the national drinking water quality standards (NDWQS). On the
other hand, the human health risk assessment model was utilised to evaluate the health implications. The results of the analysis
reveals that most of the trace elements (measured in mg/l) were within permissible limits, except for Chikun Borehole 2 (0.062),
Chikun Well 5 (0.080), Sanga Well 5 (0.080), Zango Kataf Well 4 (0.062), Jaba Well 1 (0.054), and Jaba Well 5 (0.120) for Mn
and Chikun Borehole 2 (2.7), Zango Kataf Borehole 2 (0.450), Zango Kataf Borehole 5 (0.400), Jaba Borehole 3 (0.300), Jaba
Well 3 (0.250) for Fe. Additionally, the human health risk assessment for Cr indicates a very low likelihood of 0.0002 for cancer
development due to oral exposure. Lastly, the study recommends continuous monitoring of groundwater quality and mapping
contamination hotspots for targeted intervention.
Keywords: Groundwater, Contamination, Trace Elements, Human Health Risk, Southern Kaduna
I. Introduction
Globally, groundwater (GW) serves as a vital freshwater source that supports various anthropogenic activities such as domestic
consumption, industrial activities, agriculture, unrestricted mineral exploration amongst others. According to Li et al. (2021), GW
used for domestic activities accounts for approximately one-third of the global population dependency. However, the quality of
this water source is threatened by contamination. GW contamination, which refers to the addition of undesirable substances into
GW, is caused by both natural and anthropogenic activities such as weathering, improper waste disposal, mining, agriculture, and
can be grouped into three, namely, biological, chemical, and radioactive contamination (Government of Canada, 2017). While the
consumption of GW increases annually, approximately twenty-five thousand people die daily as a result of water-related diseases,
as well as a continuous dwindling in the world’s water resources due to improper environmental management practices, especially
in developing countries (Yohanna et al., 2021).
For example, in Nigeria, the demand for GW due to deteriorating water infrastructure is increasing as more than half of the
Nigerian population relies on GW for domestic purposes, irrigation, and industrial production, among others (Adekunle et al.,
2013; Omole, 2013; Yohanna et al., 2021). Similarly, GW quality presents a significant challenge in Southern Kaduna, due to its
intricate lithological and hydrogeological characteristics accelerated by anthropogenic activities (Huang et al., 2024). Although
quite some studies (Ijah et al., 2020; Ugya et al., 2015; Wali et al., 2020) have been conducted concerning water quality in
Kaduna State, the rate of water pollution (accelerated by anthropogenic activities) and its associated hazards to human health call
for a more extensive assessment of water quality, especially for domestic purposes (Tong et al., 2021). The proliferation of GW
within the Southern Kaduna increases this concern, as Obada & Oladejo (2013) highlighted that most rural communities in the
Southern parts of Kaduna State depend largely on GW extracted from wells and boreholes for their water needs, as most surface
sources are more susceptible to pollution.
It is against this backdrop that this study aims to examine the uses and sources of GW contamination, the concentration of trace
elements in groundwater sources, and their effects on human health in Southern Kaduna, Nigeria. Although
required in
micro
quantities
to
maintain
certain
physiological
needs in the human body, excessive concentration of these elements can be very
detrimental to human health. Hence, this study investigates the concentration of five trace elements, namely, Lead (Pb),
Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), and Zinc (Zn). This is very crucial as man has continually been exposed to these
elements through the food and water we consume as well as the air we inhale. This study bridges a gap in knowledge by
providing valuable information for water resource planning and management in Southern Kaduna and the state at large. It also
provides useful information which when implemented can optimise decision making, especially in creating community awareness
and environmental campaigns on water quality, hygiene and sanitation.