Heavy Metal Analysis of Three Urban Rivers in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

The multiple industrial, domestic, agricultural, medical, and technological applications of heavy metals have led to their wide distribution in the environment, raising concerns over their potential effects on human health and the environment. This work focused on the determination of manganese, chromium, zinc, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, iron and lead concentrations in Abakpa, Iva Valley, and Transekulu Rivers which are close to residential areas in Enugu, Nigeria. The analysis were carried out using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). All the heavy metals tested in the three studied locations exceeded the different drinking water limits except zinc which was below secondary drinking water standard of 5.0 mg/l. The levels of mercury and zinc were significantly higher in Abakpa River (0.57 ± 0.112 and 0.881 ± 0.0015 mgl^-1 respectively). Iva valley showed higher levels of manganese, chromium, iron and arsenic compared to other rivers studied. The presence in these metals in the water sources are a great risk to humans and the environment.