Spatial Variation in the Levels of Concentration of Metal Contaminants in River Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria.

Abstract

The paper looked at the spatial variation in the levels of concentration of metal contaminants in river Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria. The main sources of data for the study were sediments from four different sections of the long profile of the river and the instrumental Nitrogen Activation Analysis (INAA) technique was adopted in the analysis using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1). The NIRR-1 is a miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR). The chemical contaminants, Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Dy, Na, K, As, La, Sm, Yb, U, Br, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Rb, Zn, Cs, Ba, Eu, Lu, Hf, Ta, Sb, and Th currently exist in all the sections of the river in different levels. The statistical inference from ANOVA and student f-test shows that there is no significant difference in the levels of concentration of the metal pollutants between one section of the river (sampling point) and another. This is therefore a reflection of the manner in which turbulent flow within the river and indeed the effect of stream flow can thoroughly mix up the river water to the extent of ensuring spatial uniformity in level of concentration of these metal contaminants

Keywords: Catchment area, levels of concentration, metal contaminants, river Kubanni  sediment, significant difference, spatial variation.