Evaluation of the Physico-Chemical Quality and Potability of Groundwater Consumption in Department of Collines at Benin

The purpose of this study is to assess the physical and chemical quality of borehole water intended for consumption in the collines department in Benin. At the end of a sampling campaign, twenty-one (21) drinking water points were sampled. Different physico-chemical parameters were measured using standard analysis methods. The results of the analysis of the samples, showed that the groundwater of the department of the hills is characterized by a neutral pH and an average electrical conductivity in accordance with the WHO and Benin standard relating to the potability of groundwater. With this pH neutrality which would be linked to the nature of geological formations made up of crystalline rocks, the water in the hills is moderately hard with hardness values of 208 mg/L on average for magnesium ions of 22.54 mg/L on average and calcium ions of the order of 46.03 mg/L on average at the scale of the various localities and an alkalinity is of 43.81 mg/L on average. The values between 0 and 163.91 mg/L are low in the South-East and very high, even exceeding the standard accepted by WHO in the West and North-East of the study area. This nitrate pollution and the fairly high levels of organic matter in total nitrogen observed in the groundwater of the hills could also have an impact on the vulnerability of the water table. And this pollution with nitrates associated with electrical conductivity and chloride levels modifies and degrades from one drinking water point to another the potability of underground water in the hills.

Assessment of the Risk of Toxicity of Fish in the River So by Contamination in Heavy Metals(Southern Benin,West Africa)

The purpose of this study is to assess the state of contamination of fish in the S? River by trace metal elements including Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, Copper and Arsenic. Water samples and four species of both sexes (Clarias anguillaris, Kribia kribensis, Tilapia guineensis and Eleotris vittata) were collected and analyzed. The pH, temperature and values of the chemical species present in the water of the S? River characterize an ecosystem favorable to the growth of aquatic species. The Metallic Traces Elements (MTE) concentrations vary from one fish species to another and depend on the sex and age of the animal. Zinc and copper are more concentrated in males than females with the exception of copper in Tilapia. The Pb concentration is higher in young Kribia and Clarias as well as Zn and Cd in young Tilapia. The concentrations in Cd and Pb are well above the European standards and those in the Republic of Benin, worrying results that express a health toxicity risk related to the consumption of fish of the river S?.