Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution of Water, Sediments and Algae in River Benue at Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of water, sediments and Algae in the upper region of River Benue at Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria was assessed. The concentrations of the heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Ni, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn, Fe) in the samples were analyzed using Atomic Adsorption Spectrometer. Pollution parameters such as enrichment factor, contamination factor, pollution load index and geo-accumulation index were evaluated. The result of heavy metal analysis showed that, the concentration (ppm) of the metals in water samples ranged as follows: Pb(0.25-0.50), Hg(0.00-2.00), Ni(0.10-0.31), Cu(0.03-0.13), Cr(0.00-1.33), Zn(0.01-0.04), Mn(0.03-0.06) and Fe(105.15-118.75) respectively. This result when compared with the EPA maximum permissible limits for drinking water showed that, all the metals except Cu and Zn had values above the permissible limits. The evaluation of enrichment factor revealed that, Hg showed extremely high enrichment while Pb showed significant enrichment for Algae, water and sediment samples. The contamination factor showed low contamination for all metals except Hg which showed considerable contamination for sediments, water and Algae samples. The pollution load index for sediments, water and Algae indicated no pollution. The geo-accumulation index of the metals in sediments, water and Algae indicates no or minimal pollution. The samples were enriched with Hg and Pb. These metals are capable of causing various types of cancer, brain and kidney damage among other ailments.