The concentrations of Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb and Fe were determined in sediments and water samples of two aquatic systems after mineralization with HNO3, HCl and HClO4 and analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer model 507KL. The mean concentration obtained in sediments of Ipo stream were as follows Cd (
The New Calabar River is an important commercial river in Rivers State. Surface sediment samples were collected from four stations and analyzed for some heavy metals concentrations. The results obtained revealed that the concentrations of the metals were iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr) > copper (Cu) > lead (Pb) > cadmium (Cd) > arsenic (As). Their respective mean values were; Fe, 147.84±90.13; Zn, 5.49±2.01; Ni, 3.50±1.48; Cr, 3.42±1.00; Cu, 2.48±1.11; Pb, 2.42±1.09; Cd, 0.089±0.12 and As, 0.006±0.005 mg/Kg. The results were further evaluated with some model indices (contamination factor, ecological risk and enrichment factor assessments. Sediment contamination factor analysis showed that the sediments were slightly contaminated. Ecological risk assessment revealed that the metals at the present concentrations are not harmful or cannot cause risk to the environment. However, enrichment factor analysis indicated that all the metals had significant anthropogenic enrichment at the various stations except As at Aluu, Choba and Iwofe and Cd at Aluu. Therefore, adequate and continuous monitoring should be put in place to prevent upsurge of anthropogenic heavy metals input into the river.
The Niger Delta is the hub of industrial establishments in Cr (0.172Mg/l), Pb (0.057Mg/l), Fe (0.403Mg/l), Zn (0.218Mg/l), Ni (0.816Mg/l), Mn (0.725Mg/l) and Cu (0.011Mg/l). From these results, it was seen that the concentrations of the metals were within the national and international recommended limits; however some of these metals are known to be toxic even at low concentrations. It was also observed from the results that the concentrations of the metals in the dry season were higher than those of the wet season.
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