Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of River Gora Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentration of four heavy metals viz. Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) in water and sediment samples obtained from the banks of River Gora where industrial and domestic effluents are discharged were determined. The study was performed during wet season (August) at two different sampling points. The result of this investigation shows that the sediments accumulated higher elements than the water. Lead concentration of water and sediment samples taken from point A were 0.84 mg/l and 320 mg/l respectively compared to point B of 0.00 mg/l and 47.62 mg/l. Levels of lead in the water samples from point A exceeded the acceptable limits by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  The results point to the need for rational planning of pollution control strategies, so as to keep check on release of toxic heavy metals.

Keywords Heavy metals, Water pollution, Toxicity, River Gora, Kaduna, Nigeria