Heavy Metals Contaminations in Amaogwugwu River from the Headstream to the Downstream, Ohuhu- Umuahia Abia State , Nigeria

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of heavy metals concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Cr , Ni, Co in the Amaogwugwu 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 value 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 - 2.3 1ppb 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 Umuagwu which is known for its fishing, Okpuala and even Ngbagoro  in Umuahia North local government of Abia state.

Keywords: Levels, Concentrations, Heavy Metals, Surface Water, Midstream