Heavy Metal Dispersion in Stream Sediments in River Iyiudene, Abakaliki South-Eastern Nigeria: Source, Distribution Pattern, and Contamination Assessment

Abstract

River Iyiudene is a vital distributary resource in Abakaliki, southeastern Nigeria and conveys an abundant amount of sediments to provincial and residual ecosystems. Although the importance of the river cannot be overemphasized, the geochemistry of its stream sediments is less investigated. Twenty (20) stream sediment samples were taken at the centre of the river channels to represent the entire drainage area well and avoid collapsed bank materials. The stream sediment samples were used to determine the dispersion, contamination status and sources of heavy metal concentrations. Total elemental digestion accompanied this with the use of aqua regia, an admixture of Hydrochloric acid (HCl) and Nitric acid (HNO 3 ) in the ratio of 3:1 using the atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The heavy metal concentration levels in River Iyiudene were low compared with sediments from Imo River, Gulf of California, Upper continental crust, Average shale and surface horizons, excluding Cd, which showed high concentration levels than the other reference studies. The results delineated a wide contrast in the concentration levels of the heavy metals, with the mean contents in the order Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd > Ni > As. The pollution evaluation utilizing the Effect range low (ERL), Effect range median (ERM), single pollution index, and geo-accumulation index revealed Cd contamination. This study indicates that the heavy metals were sourced from the natural geological background of the river basin and possibly from agricultural runoff and atmospheric pollutants.

Bioacculumation of Metals in Aquatic Food Chain in Amasiri River, Ebonyi State Nigeria

“…Those that discovered higher concentrations of metals as compared to the WHO minimum allowable limits and those that are of contrary opinion. The first school of thought affirmed presence of metals above the allowable concentrations in various water bodies in Ebonyi State attributing it majorly to minning, indiscriminate waste disposal and other human and geogenic activities [22][23][24][25][26][27] . The basis of the increase in metal concentrations are the same as advanced above 28,29 .…”

Biomass Assessment and Optimization of Alcaligenes faecalis Isolated from some Nigerian Mining Sites for Heavy Metal Uptake Using Response Surface Methodology Model

“…In Nigeria, several studies have reported the impact of heavy metal pollution on soil (Ibrahim et al, 2021), water (Nwazue et al, 2022), air (Okoye and Ebiana, 2022), crops (Sagagi et al, 2022), and farmlands (Sagagi et al, 2022). Similarly, hazardous metals like Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Co have been shown to contaminate most of Zambia's wastewater, crops, and soil (Kapungwe, 2013).…”