Analysis of Heavy Metals Contaminations in Kano River (Upstream, Midstream and Downstream)

Abstract

The study analyses effects of heavy metals levels of heavy metals concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, CR , Ni, Co in the Kano River Drainage basin from its headstream, midstream up to the downstream and in both surface and groundwater and the water is used for may purpose including water supply, fishing and agriculture mainly irrigation. Based on above pH average water in the study area can be interpreted as slightly alkaline and still within permissible limits of all the three standards/guidelines. EC with above average also shows that all the water their values falls within the three guidelines. Samples  from both surface and groundwater in the studied area have ranges and means of:  Co ranges from 0.11-21.24 ppb and average of 2.26 ppb , Ni ranges from 0.26 - 37.01 ppb and average of 7.37 ppb , Cu ranges from 0.17 - 640.93 ppb and average of 37.62 ppb, Zn ranges from 15 - 408 ppb and average of 115.03 ppb, As ranges from 0.09 - 2.31ppb and average of 0.62 ppb ,Pb ranges from 0.16 - 834.38 ppb and average of 29.82 ppb , Cr ranges from 0.16 - 5557.35 ppb and average of 419.58 ppb ,Cd ranges from 0.04 - 1.64 ppb and average of 0.21 ppb. EC. It is therefore recommended that concentrations level in crops grown with these waters needs to be investigated. Again it is confirmed that probably this may be one of the reasons for the drop in fish catch from midstream up to the downstream especially in area like Wudil which is known for its fishing, Gadar Ringim and even Tarabu town in Kirikasamma local government of Jigawa state.

Keywords: Levels, Concentrations, Heavy metals, Surface water, and Midstream