ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The average level of nitrate in groundwater in Nigeria has increased in the last 20-30 years. This is based on the analyses of groundwater samples from over 2,200 wells (1985-2004) and 350 samples (pre-1970). The results of the survey show that 33% of wells produced water with a nitrate concentration that is above the WHO guide limit of 45 mg NO3/L. It was difficult to estimate the number of people drinking water with nitrate concentrations above the permissible limit, yet a significant percentage of the population is assumed to be at risk of ingesting high doses of nitrate through drinking water and food. The purpose of this paper is to present the occurrence of nitrate in groundwater for Nigeria and discuss the implication and sources of nitrate in groundwater from different aquifers within the various groundwater regions in Nigeria.
