ABSTRACT
The concentrations of some heavy metals in water and sediments of the lower River Niger at three locations (Illah, Asaba and Okpai) were investigated for sixteen (16) months (January, 2014 – April, 2015). Subsurface water and bottom sediments were collected monthly and analyzed using standard methods for Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd). Data collected were statistically analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and means separated with LSD. Results showed that except for Pb and Cd, there were significant differences (P <0.05) in the mean concentrations of the other metals among the stations. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the bottom sediments (mg/kg) were higher than those of the subsurface water (mg/l). The results also showed that apart from Cadmium, where the concentration of 0.001 mg/l was lower than the 0.003 mg/l acceptable limit for drinking water, concentration of the other metals in the subsurface water and bottom sediments were above the acceptable limits for drinking water. Thus showing that water in the lower River Niger is highly polluted and not fit for drinking. |
