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ABSTRACT
Water and sediment samples from Sombrero River were collected from 2 difference stations, water sample were collected using a plastic container, sediment samples were collected using an Erkman grab of 10cm diameter and 12cm long, and analyzed for some heavy metals; using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The heavy metals analyzed include: Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), and Vanadium (V). The concentrations of Cr, Cd, V and Pb did not vary (<0.001 mg/L) only that Ni varied and this had a range of <0.001 mg/L to 0.052 mg/L and in sediment <0.001mg/kg to 2.29mg/kg for Cr, 0.07mg/kg to 0.74mg/kg for Cd, 0.02mg/kg to 0.04mg/kg for vanadium, 40.052mg/kg to 0.98mg/kg for Ni and 4.70mg/kg to 8.92mg/kg for Pb. sThe concentration of metals in sediment varied and are higher than those in water. The concentrations of all metals analyzed in water were within the WHO and Nis maximum permissible level for drinking water. The mean concentration of heavy metals in sediment exceeded the WHO standard limit, and therefore pose threat to aquatic biota’s; since sediment is the ultimate sink for aquatic organism. Regular monitoring of the water and sediment should be conducted to obtain data that will help us know the critical periods of pollution.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Rivers are the most important water resources for man; unfortunately river waters are being polluted by in discriminate disposal of sewage, industrial wastes and planthora human activities, which affect water quality (Koshy and Nayar, 1999). Pollution of aquatic environment is a serious growing problem. Increasing numbers and amount of industrial agricultural and commercial chemicals discharged into the aquatic environment have led to various deleterious effects on aquatic organism. Aquatic organisms such as fish accumulate pollutants directly from contaminated water and indirectly via the food chain (Hummer, 2004; Mohammed, 2009).
Apart from the function of river as a source of fresh water for drinking, domestic and industrial uses, fresh water resources serve multiple functions most of them being critical to human settlement and survival, polluted water is an important vehicle for spread of diseases. Adequate supply of safe and sanitized fresh water is an inevitable factor for human and economic development (Ayobahan et al., 2014). Reports by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) revealed that in African countries particularly Nigerian, water related disease had been interfering with basic human development (FAO, 2007). The common sources of water that are available to local communities in Nigeria are fast being severed by number of anthropogenic factors, of which pollution remains the most dominant problem. Water abstraction use, agricultural production, power generation and forestry practices can lead to deterioration in water quality and quantity that impact not only on the aquatic ecosystem, but also an availability of safe water for human consumption (UNEP, 2006).
Urbanization leads to increase in problems and proliferation of industries with consequent increase in waste generation effluent discharge which eventually finds itself streamed into a water body through erosion. This could however; lead to increase cases of water born diseases and heavy metals toxicity in humans (Swerdlow et al., 1992; Besser, 1995). The impact of urbanization and human activities surface water quality has received a considerable amount attention in recent times. In urban and suburban area much of the land surface is covered by buildings and pavement, which do not allow rain to stock into the grounds instead most developed areas rely on storm drains to carry large amount of run-offs from road and paved areas to nearby water ways. The storm water-runoff carries pollutants such as dirt’s chemicals and fertilizers directly into streams and rivers where they seriously lower water quality (EPA, 2003)
Coastal sediments are important hosts for pollutant trace metals and because of the devastating effects of certain toxic metals on human health, metal pollution is potentially one of the most serious forms of aquatic pollution. (Wokoma, 2014). Sediment is the loose sand, silt and other soil particles that settle at the bottom of a body of water (USEPA, 2002). It can come from soil erosion or from the decomposition of plants and animals, Wind, water and ice help to carry these particles to rivers, lakes and streams. Sediment strata serve as an important habitat for the benthic micro invertebrates whose metabolic activities contribute to aquatic productivity (Abowei and Sikoku, 2005). Sediment is also the major site for organic matter decomposition which is largely carried out by bacterial. Important micro-nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are continuously being interchanged between sediment and overly water (Abowei and Sikoki, 2005)
Heavy metals are commonly found in natural water and are deposited in bottom sediments via complex physical, chemical and biological processes (Wen and Allen, 1999). Metals are essential to living organism, yet they become toxic when present in high concentration the natural aquatic system may equally be contaminated with heavy metal released from domestic industrial and other man made sources (Conache et al, 1993; Valeze and Montoro, 1998). The accumulation of some heavy metals in fresh water ecosystem has been a major concern. Heavy metals generally enter the aquatic environment through natural or anthropogenic activities (caused by industry) being one of the main aquatic organisms in the food chain often accumulate large amounts of certain metals above the levels in aquatic environment (Ambedlkar and Muniyan, 2011) as these metals equally gains access into the ecosystem through anthropogenic sources yet distributed into the water body suspended solids and sediments during the course of their mobility (Olajiri and Imeokpari, 2000). The other of bioaccumulation of heavy metals in aquatic organism depends on the organism’s ability to digest the metals and concentration of the metals in water and sediments (Ishag et al 2011).
Many industries in Nigeria are located on river banks and use the river as open sewers for their effluents.
Petroleum, mining wood and pulp, pharmaceuticals textiles, plastics, iron and steel, brewing, distillery, fermentation, paint and food industries are responsible for water pollution, in Nigeria. Of those, the petroleum Industry present the greatest threat of water quality due occurrence of accidental oil spillage, leaks, seepages due to ruptured pipes which endanger local sources of water supply and terrestrial aquatic living resources especially in the rural areas (Anukam, 1997). Since majority of pollutants entering into marine environment are chemical in nature, the investigation of the release of chemicals into the workplace or into the environment is a topic of interest. (Flanagan, 2007).
It is important to monitor heavy metals in water and sediment of Sombreiro River in order to assess its potential hazardous levels
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The River is the major source of drinking, for the natives. It is used for agricultural purposes; activities such as cassava fermentation, fishing, swimming, and dredging activities and also for washing of clothes. But recently the river is getting deeper due to dredging; it is no longer used for drinking and fishing activities, it is also polluted with faecal matters. Hence, the need for the present study to examine the, heavy metals content in water and sediment of upper Sombreiro River.
1.3 AIM/OBJECTIVES
To investigate heavy metals in water and sediment of upper Sombreiro River Niger Delta.
To determine the water quality characteristic of Sombreiro River and assess the risk of Sombreiro River water contamination of river sediment
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This research work is to examine heavy metals in water and sediments of upper Sombreiro River.
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