International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2572

Full Length Research Paper

Organic matter and trace metals levels in sediment of bonny river and creeks around Okrika in Rivers State, Nigeria

Marcus A. C.1, Okoye C. O. B.2 and Ibeto C. N.3*      
1Department of Chemistry, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, P. M. B. 5047, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. 2Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. 3National Centre for Energy Research and Development, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 12 April 2013
  •  Published: 23 April 2013

Abstract

Analysis was carried out on the sediment of Bonny River and creeks around Okrika in order to determine the concentrations of organic matter, lead, nickel, vanadium and cadmium as well as their probable sources and diagenesis. Samples for trace metal analysis were prepared by acid digestion and analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Organic matter content was determined by the method of Walkey and Black. Mean concentrations (µg/g, dry wt) of trace metals were: Pb(23.22 ± 13.43), Ni (57.19 ± 16.93), V (0.06 ± 0.05), Cd (0.24 ± 0.32) while organic matter (% dry wt) were:TOC(1.14 ± 0.40) and TOM(1.990 ± 0.70) and revealed anthropogenic trace metal enrichment. The large standard deviations indicate temporal and spatial variations due largely to anthropogenic waste input. There was a weak association for Pb/organic matter (/r/=0.58, p<0.01) in the wet season suggesting a common source, most likely from land-derived wastes brought in by runoff water.

 

Key words: Organic matter, trace metals, anthropogenic enrichment, Bonny River.

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