US EPA

351669 

Journal Article 

Assessment of heavy metal load of Owah-Abbi (Ethiope) river, Delta state, Nigeria 

Omuku, P; Asiagwu, AK; Chinweuba, AJ; Okoye, PAC 

2008 

24 

3 

813-820 

English 

Total concentrations of lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc and copper in the sediments from Owah-Abbi stream, Delta State were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Metal bioaccumulation studies In Tilapla and catfish were also carried out. The total heavy metal load of the stream (water) was also investigated. The trend in the concentrations of the metals investigated was Cu>Pb>Zn>Cd>Cr in Tilapia while that of catfish was similar with a subtle difference (Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd>Cr). The prevailing levels for the metals in the stream sediments were 2.63, 1.68, 2.34, 6.64 and 1.57mg/g for Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn and Cu respectively. The water sample gave concentrations of 0.72, 0.03, 0.36, 1.27 and 0.37mg/dm super(3) for Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Cu respectively. The elevated lead concentrations in samples is an indication of lead pollution of Owah-Abbi river. 

Article Subject Terms: Absorption; Absorption spectroscopy; Bioaccumulation; Cadmium; Catfish; Chromium; Copper; Deltas; Heavy; metals; Lead; Metals; Pollution effects; Rivers; Sediments; Streams; Water Pollution Effects; Water pollution; Water sampling; Zinc; cadmium; chromium; deltas; heavy metals; rivers; spectrophotometers; Article Taxonomic Terms: Tilapia; Article Geographic Terms: Nigeria; Nigeria, Ethiope R.; Brackish; SW 3030 Effects of pollution; Q5 01503 Characteristics, behavior and; fate; Q2 02264 Sediments and sedimentation; P 2000 FRESHWATER; POLLUTION