Assessment of Metal Concentrations in Water from the Downstream Segment of New Calabar River, Port Harcourt Segment of New Calabar River, Port Harcourt

Benjamin Bameyi Otene; Victoria Basoene Harry

Abstract

The downstream segment of the New Calabar River, Port Harcourt has been a major source of water and sea foods for the inhabitants. The concentration of heavy and trace metals such as Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) in water were investigated between January – December, 2016 using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The results showed that station 2 had the highest concentration of the metals studied. The order of concentration of the metals was Fe > Cu > Pb > Cd > Hg Dry season values were consistently higher than wet season values without seasonality except copper. The results also showed that the mean values for the heavy metals in mg/l (Cd = 0.068 + 0.02, Pb=0.261 + 0.14, Hg = 0.009 + 0.02) exceeded the permissible limit for WHO, EU and EC while the trace metal values (Cu = 0.268 + 0.11, Fe = 0.331 + 0.11) were within the permissible limit. ANOVA revealed that the concentration of metals studied showed no significant difference statistically at P < 0.05 among the Stations. New Calabar River is therefore moderately polluted and so the aquatic biota therein including humans consuming the water and its resources are under threat if the influx of anthropogenic wastes is continuously discharged indiscriminately. It was recommended that there should be continuous monitoring of the water body to check the impact of anthropogenic activities for suitable remedial measures.Keywords: assessment, metals concentration, new Calabar River, Port HarcourtCite this ArticleHarry Victoria Basoene, Otene Benjamin Bameyi. Assessment of Metal Concentrations in Water from the Downstream Segment of New Calabar River, Port Harcourt. Research & Reviews: Journal of Ecology. 2020; 9(1): 1–7p.