Determination of heavy metals concentration in water and sediment of river donga, Taraba state

Abstract

This research was carried out to ascertain the heavy metals concentrations in water and sediments from River Donga upstream and downstream was investigated for a period of three months (October to December). The Result showed heavy metals concentrations were higher in sediments compare to water during the study period while downstream values were generally higher compare to upstream. Result for mean concentration of heavy metals variations in water and sediment varied significant (p>0.05) based on the two sampling locations upstream and downstream. The heavy metals concentration in water and sediments was examined using atomic absorption spectrophometer (AAS) Bulk scientific Model 210VGP. Concentrations ranking profile was found to be Zn >Ni>Pb >Cr>Cd. The maximum mean concentration of Zn recorded in the sediment was 0.700 mg/kg while the lowest value of 0.029mg/kg was recorded for Pb at the two locations while for water value (0.200 mg/l) were observed for Zn, Ni, and Cr in the months of October November and December respectively. The lowest value of 0.014mg/1 at both locations was recorded for Cr. Data for Cr, Ni, Pb. Pb were generally low throughout the study period. Zn concentrations in water at the sampled locations (upstream and downstream) throughout the study periods showed no significant difference (p>0.05). However, Cd, Cr, Pb and Ni show variations (p