Pollution Prevention and Environmental Sustainability of Water, Soils and Stream Sediments in Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Impact of heavy metals has become a major public health concern. The study is aimed at accessing ways by which pollution can be prevented towards a resounding environmental sustainability in the Southwestern, Nigeria. Groundwater, soil and stream sediment samples were picked and analyzed using ICP-ES and ICP-MS respectively. Results obtained were compared with WHO (2006) and was observed that all metals were within the permissible standard with the exception of Pb and K. High Pb was attributed to wastes disposed at the dump site found in the study area, while high K was more or less due to dissolution of minerals through weathering processes which was confirmed by the negative and weak correlation it has with other metals except with As which indicates same geochemical origin. It can therefore be concluded that measures such as organization of enlightenment program on the impact of polluted metals on the environment; provision of adequate disposal facilities; and a good waste management policy should be made to prevent depletion by these metals and also giving the environment a future hope, thus sustaining the environment and public health of the study area.