Quality Assessment of Rain Water Around a Cement Factory in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed at determining the physico-chemical properties of rainwater collected from a cement
factory and its environment. Four (4) locations labeled A, B, C and D were sampled and analysed. The
result of the rainwater analysed indicated that locations A, B, C and D had temperature values of 22.3,
21.7, 23.5, and 21.8oC respectively, Turbidity; (0.15, 0.18, 0.20 and 0.13 NTU), pH: (6.5, 6.4, 6.1, and 6.7),
Hardness as CaCO3: (40.00, 40.00, 40.00 and 40.33 mg/L), NO3
- : (36.77, 38.63, 32.40, and 30.20mg/L)
respectively, while the microbiological assay showed no presence of e. coli. CO2 values were 24.00, 21.00,
22.67, and 24.33 mg/L for A, B, C and D respectively, Ca2+: (21.33, 22.00, 120.33 and 19.67mg/L), SO4
2- :
(10.67, 8.67, 32.67 and 12.67 mg/L) respectively for A, B, C and D. The pH values showed that rainwater
from all the locations were slightly acidic particularly location C. Overall, the water was found fit for
drinking though with a relative high amount of Nitrates in samples A and B and a high CO2 content
especially in locations D, A and C. These results are indications that the area could experience acid rain
under extreme conditions.