Assessment of Surficial Loads of Heavy Metals in sediment of Ipo Stream and Sombriero River, Rivers State, Nigeria

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 (1.2 – 1.7) mg/Kg, Ni (3.0 – 3.5) mg/Kg, Cu (14.62 – 25.22) mg/Kg, Pb (20.05 – 24.6) mg/Kg, Fe (18.20 – 24.82), while in water, in mg/L was Cd (1.09 – 1.65), Ni (3.09 – 3.72), Cu (14.14 – 24.10), Pb (20.00 – 24.20), and Fe (711 – 907). In Sombreior sediment, the following concentration in mg/Kg were obtained Cd (0.10 – 0.12), Ni (102 – 70.34), Cu (34.02 – 84.20) Pb (18.22 – 23.05), and Fe (11780 – 15642.2). However, in water the heavy metals occurred in the range Cd (<0.001 – 0.02), Ni (64.21 – 82.01), Cu (30.41 – 3961), Pb (8.02 – 16.38), and Fe (712 – 872.0) mg/L. The results showed that Ipo stream contained more heavy metals than Sombriero river and significant difference occurred in the mean concentration of heavy metals in Ipo stream and Sombreior river at p<0.05. The results showed that the major source of pollution of the study area is anthropogenic activities

Levels of Trace Metals in surface Sediments from Kalabari Creeks, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated the levels of six trace metals V, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe and Ni in surface sediment of Kalabari creeks. Surface sediments of about 0-2cm depth were collected from June 2009 to April 2010 at two months interval to cover the rainy and dry seasons. Bulk scientific atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) model 200A was used to analyze the samples. The results obtained revealed that the mean levels of the metal occurred in the order Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb >V = Cd, which were 4,767.06 ± 076.5mg/kg, 20.90 ± 10.47mg/kg, 14.67 ± 12.03mg/kg, 1.63 ± 1.16mg/kg respectively. Vanadium and cadmium were below detection limit (BDL) <0.001 in all the samples. The overall mean levels of trace metal in sediment in the rainy season was in the order Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd = V, while in the dry season, the order was Fe > Cu >Ni > Pb > Cd = V. The results obtained agreed with WHO and FEPA now Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) set standard for sediment.Keywords: Kalabari creeks, surface sediment, anthropogenic, trace metals, domestic effluent

Levels of Trace Metals in surface Sediments from Kalabari Creeks, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated the levels of six trace metals V, Cu, Pb, Cd, Fe and Ni in surface sediment of Kalabari creeks. Surface sediments of about 0-2cm depth were collected from June 2009 to April 2010 at two months interval to cover the rainy and dry seasons. Bulk scientific atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) model 200A was used to analyze the samples. The results obtained revealed that the mean levels of the metal occurred in the order Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb > V = Cd, which were 4,767.06 \ub1 076.5mg/kg, 20.90 \ub1 10.47mg/kg, 14.67 \ub1 12.03mg/kg, 1.63 \ub1 1.16mg/kg respectively. Vanadium and cadmium were below detection limit (BDL) < 0.001 in all the samples. The overall mean levels of trace metal in sediment in the rainy season was in the order Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd = V, while in the dry season, the order was Fe > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd = V. The results obtained agreed with WHO and FEPA now Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) set standard for sediment

Assessment of Physicochemical Parameters of New Calabar and Orashi Rivers Exposed to Open Waste Discharge in Nigeria

Water is an indispensable resource necessary for life sustenance, social and economic development. Nevertheless exposure to untreated wastes undermines the quality of water bodies. This research therefore, assessed the quality of New Calabar and Orashi Rivers in Rivers State of Nigeria, between December 2020 and October 2021. The results revealed that the analysed physiochemical parameters varied across the months and sampling points. The minimum values of pH, DO and BOD were below the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit. Chloride and sulphate in New Calabar River are above the threshold limit, but within acceptable limits in Orashi River. Temperature, EC, TDS, TSS, phosphate and nitrate were within the acceptable limits. The concentrations of EC and chloride were extremely higher in New Calabar River compared to Orashi River. The results also showed that the physicochemical parameters varied between the dry and wet seasons, but both rivers were more polluted in the dry season. The level of physicochemical parameters in the water samples indicated that both rivers are contaminated and not suitable for domestic use. Therefore, it become imperative that the agencies responsible for maintenance of river quality take proactive measures to design, develop and implement strategies that will improve the current state of Orashi and New Calabar Rivers

Assessment of Phenolic Compounds in Surface Waters from New Calabar River and Orashi River in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Phenolic compounds are hazardous with diverse health implications. The presence of phenolic compounds in rivers is triggered by several activities including petroleum products. The Niger Delta is one of the world’s major hydrocarbon provinces with several health hazards created by oil exploration and exploitation and slow in action to oil spillages. Therefore this paper assessed phenolic compounds in surface waters from New Calabar River and Orashi River in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria using GC/MS technique (Agilent 6890N Gas agilent 5975 mass selective Detector). Data obtained reveal that the average phenolic compounds recorded during the dry and wet seasons were 37.7156μg/l and 37.5878μg/l for New Calabar River and 94.3078μg/l and 85.5222μg/l for Orashi River, respectively. The level of phenolic compounds in the water samples indicated that both rivers were contaminated and not suitable for domestic use. Therefore, the people located within the riverbank, particularly Orashi River, are advised not to use the river water domestically except after treatment