Heavy Metals Concentrations of Water and Sediments in Oil Exploration Zone of Nigeria
Heavy Metals Concentrations of Water and Sediments in Oil Exploration Zone of Nigeria
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Date
2010
Authors
Ekwumemgbo, P.A.
Eddy, N.O.
Omoniyi, I.K.
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Abstract
Heavy metals concentrations of water and sediments in the oil exploration zone of the
Qua Iboe river estuary in Nigeria was investigated by analysing the samples for their Cd, Ni,
Pb and V concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results obtained
indicated that the heavy metals concentrations of the samples were below the WHO pollution
limits with maximum values of 0.003 mg/l for Cd, 0.143 mg/l for Ni, 0.040 mg/l for Pb
and 0.102 mg/l for V in the water samples. Concentrations of the heavy metals in the sediment
were significantly higher than the values in the water samples (P < 0.05), with positive
correlation between the levels of the heavy metals in the water and the sediment, except
for Pb. However, there is tendency of elevation in the concentrations of the studied heavy
metals over a period of time, since oil exploration has the potential of increasing the concentrations
of heavy metals in the estuary. The authors recommended the control of industrial
activities within the coastal area.
Description
Conference proceeding
Keywords
Estuary,, heavy metals, water, sediments, spectrophotometry, heavy metals,, water,, sediments, spectrophotometry, sediments,, spectrophotometry