ASSESSMENT OF THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY OF BOREHOLES LOCATED AT CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CEMETERIES IN BENIN METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Groundwater quality worldwide continues to decline due to anthropogenic activities. Cemeteries are considered as one of the key activities that could lead to groundwater contamination. The burial of corpses in cemeteries and their subsequent degradation may have possible impact on groundwater quality. This study was carried out in Benin City metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria from March to May, 2018. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of activities carried out in cemetery on groundwater quality in Benin City. Three different stations in Benin City were chosen for the purpose of this study. The physical and chemical parameters, as well as the heavy metals, of the groundwater samples were analyzed to determine the groundwater quality. World Health Organization (WHO) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMEnv) acceptable limits were used in the evaluation. Some of the parameters were within WHO and FMEnv permissible limits. The results revealed that the groundwater is subjected to contamination from burial leakages of areas close to cemeteries and the most evident impacts were seen in Station 1 and 2. The Water Quality Index at the sampling sites close to cemeteries showed that the status of station 1 was highly polluted and thereby unsuitable for drinking. More studies should therefore be carried out for more detailed characterization of cemetery leakages on groundwater quality.