HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATION IN SEDIMENTS, PRAWN AND FISH FROM THE ISAKA RIVER
ORIAKPONO, OBEMEATA EMMANUEL *
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
OBUKOHWO, PEACE OBAKORE
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
ESOMONU, OGADIMMA JULIET
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
OSIGWE, ELLINAH ADAMU
Department of Animal and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study determined the heavy metal concentrations of sediments, prawn and fish (SP&F) of Isaka River. Samples were collected from four stations of the river viz; Bundu, Ibeto, Macoba and Union-Dicon. Samples were prepared using standard procedure, analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer for heavy metals; Vanadium, Chromium, Nickel, Copper, Barium, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury and Lead. Results are as follows; Concentrations for Vanadium in Bundu, SP&F were 0.64±0.02, 1.44±0.02 and 3.94±2.16 mg/kg respectively; in Ibeto, Concentration were 0.71±0.01, 4.793.19 and 8.06±1.28 mg/kg for SP&F respectively. Macoba had concentrations of 0.85±0.02, 1.82±0.06 and 6.97±1.53 mg/kg, Union-Dicon had concentrations of 0.68±0.13, 1.66±0.02 and 7.06±1.19 mg/kg for SP&F respectively. Concentrations of chromium in the SP&F of Bundu were 3.11±0.00, 3.01±0.66 and 119.74±20.20 mg/kg, for Ibeto Concentrations were 2.37±0.38, 3.54±0.75 and 160.70±7.46 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations in SP&F for Macoba were 4.19±0.04, 4.96±0.59 and 143.60±4.72 mg/kg while Union-Dicon were 3.85±0.03, 7.11±1.99 and 162.06±13.09 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations of nickel in Bundu SP&F were 1.71±0.11, 5.6±2.36 and 29.70±13.14 mg/kg while Ibeto were 1.54±0.02, 4.62±0.47 and 55.76±23.36 respectively. In Macoba and Union-Dicon the values for SP&F were 2.14±0.03, 6.72±1.22 and 57.48±4.72 mg/kg then 1.58±0.04, 7.21±2.24 and 44.50±4.51 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations of copper in SP&F in Bundu, Ibeto, Macoba and Union-Dicon were 3.20±0.06, 4.29±0.07 and 178.01±3.74, 4.24±10.39, 7.34±1.50 and 230.94±97.6, 4.54±1.23, 8.59±0.77 and 196.95±2.13 then finally 5.47±2.09, 9.22±0.55 and 208.76±6.87 mg/kg respectively. Concentrations of Barium in SP&F for Bundu were 1.51±0.27, 3.58±0.30 and 70.26±7.81 mg/kg respectively, concentrations in Ibeto were 1.98±0.15, 3.34±0.18 and 69.91±2.30 mg/kg, Macoba were 2.49±0.31, 4.04±0.91 and 65.20±25.05, mg/kg and in Union-Dicon the concentration were 2.79±0.11, 4.98±0.45 and 63.87±13.60 mg/kg for SP&F respectively. Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury and Lead were all below detectable limit. The study reveals the river is polluted with heavy metals; this pollution renders the sea foods gotten from this river unsafe for human consumption.
Keywords: Sediments, heavy metal, fish, human consumption