Journal of
Oceanography and Marine Science

  • Abbreviation: J. Oceanogr. Mar. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2294
  • DOI: 10.5897/JOMS
  • Start Year: 2010
  • Published Articles: 62

Full Length Research Paper

Seasonal variation of enrichment and contamination of heavy metals in the surface water of Qua Iboe River Estuary and adjoining creeks, South-South Nigeria

Dan, S. F.
  • Dan, S. F.
  • Department of Marine Chemistry, Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology, Akwa Ibom State University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
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Umoh, U. U.
  • Umoh, U. U.
  • Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
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Osabor, V. N.
  • Osabor, V. N.
  • Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
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  •  Received: 10 December 2013
  •  Accepted: 08 April 2014
  •  Published: 01 September 2014

Abstract

Seasonal variation of the distribution pattern, enrichment and contamination of some heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cu) in surface water of Qua Iboe river estuary and adjoining creeks were investigated using physicochemical parameters. The results of wet season mean concentrations (mg/l) were: Cd (0.09 ± 0.02), Cr (0.05 ± 0.02), Cu (0.05 ± 0.01), Fe (10.68 ± 1.91), Pb (0.06 ± 0.01), Zn (0.08 ± 0.03) and Ni (7.4 ± 1.31) while the dry season mean concentrations (mg/l) revealed Cd (0.06 ± 0.02), Cr (0.04 ± 0.02), Cu (0.02 ± 0.004), Fe (7.36 ± 1.94), Pb (0.03 ± 0.008), Zn (0.03 ± 0.01) and Ni (5.17 ± 1.73). The wet season mean concentration of heavy metals were higher than the dry season. Concentration data were processed using Pearson correlation matrix to identify the inter-relationships between physicochemical parameters as well as the sources of heavy metals. The results showed that salinity, pH and temperature among others played a significant role in the adsorption/desorption and dissolution of heavy metals in the surface water. The Enrichment factor (EF) calculated during the wet season in surface water ranged from 0.2 to 2.9 while the EF calculated during the dry season ranged from 0.2 to 1.9. During wet season, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn showed minor surface enrichments while Cr and Ni showed no enrichment. During dry season, Cd, Fe and Zn were moderately enriched in surface water while Cr, Cu, Pb and Ni were not enriched. Surface enrichment was attributed to atmospheric deposition, released of sediment bound metals to the surface, dissolution/erosion of coastal sediments as well as anthropogenic input. The computed degree of contamination indicated that the river system was moderately contaminated during dry season but highly contaminated during wet season. The implication is that during flooding which is consequent upon climate change, there will be higher degree of contamination of Qua Iboe River estuary and adjoining creeks.

 

Key words: Heavy metals, seasonal variations, surface enrichments and contamination, Qua Iboe estuary.

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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