IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (RJPST )

E-ISSN 2579-0536
P-ISSN 2695-2696
VOL. 6 NO. 2 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/rjpst.v6.no2.2023.pg95.107

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Heavy Metals Contamination of Surface Water of Mini WHUO Stream in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Edori, O, S.,Awari, J. O. and Iyama, W. A

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Abstract

The level of heavy metals in the Mini Whuo Stream in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was assessed. The heavy metals’ analysis was performed after due digestion by the use of a Thermo Atomic Elemental Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentrations of the heavy metals studied in the stream were Pb; 2.594±0.76 mg/L, Cu; 1.90±0.60 mg/L, Zn; 2.50±0.74 mg/L, Cd; 0.472±0.17 mg/L, Ni; 2.785±0.87 mg/L, Cr; 4.484±0.76 mg/L, Co; 0.228±0.13 mg/L, Fe; 1.779±0.46 mg/L and As; 0.059±0.02 mg/L.The concentration of the heavy metals in the stream occurred in the order Cr > Ni >Pb> Zn > Cu > Fe > Cd > Co >>As.The pollution assessment indices used in the evaluation of the anthropogenic activities has influenced the concentration of heavy metals in the stream using WHO maximum limit as basis of decision were, contamination factor, pollution load index, contamination degree and modified contamination degree. These four indices indicated that the studied heavy metals have contaminated the stream to a high level that it was no more suitable for domestic use.

keywords:

Contamination, heavy metals, Mini Whuo Stream, pollution, pollution indices,

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