International Research Journal of Public and Environmental Health
Analysis of heavy metals and total hydrocarbons in water and sediment of Ovia River, in Ovia North East Local Government of Edo State, Nigeria
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*Corresponding Author Email: patrickisibor007(at)gmail.com
Tel.:+2347035790793
Isibor Patrick Omoregie |
Oluowo Elohor Freeman |
Izegaegbe Joshua Idowu |
Water and Sediment samples were collected from four chosen stations at Ovia River, Edo State, Nigeria within the period of April, 2013 and September, 2014. Samples analyzed for heavy metals and total hydrocarbons. Essential metals such as manganese (0.947), copper (0.883) and zinc (0.817) had significant Varimax rotated matrices; hence they are the active components in the water, while copper (0.896) was the only active component in the sediment. This is consistent with the fact that only concentrations of manganese at Stations 3 (0.97 mg/L) and Station 4 (1.26 mg/L); and copper at Station 4 (1.05mg/L) exceeded the regulatory limits. It is an indication of a negligible alteration in the water quality. The concentrations of iron and copper (Stations 2, 3 and 4); and phosphate (Station 3) in the bottom sediments were higher than the concentrations at control station (Station 1) and WHO standards. Although the heavy metals and total hydrocarbons have low sorption capacity into the bottom sediment, however some levels of perturbations observed in the sediment necessitates immediate remediation and continuous bio-monitoring of the river.
Keywords: Surface water, bottom sediment, anthropogenic activities, bioavailability
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