Heavy Metal Concentrations In A West African Sahel Reservoir

Abstract

Heavy metal concentrations were investigated over a period of 12 months in five stations in Alau reservoir, Maiduguri, in the North – east sahel zone of Nigeria. The mean concentrations of zinc, copper, lead, iron and manganese were 0.17 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.14+ 0.03 - 0.19+ 0.02 mg/l), 0.56 + 0.06 mg/l (range 0.52+ 0.01 - 0.64
+ 0.01 mg/l), 0.56 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.54+ 0.03 - 0.58+ 0.06 mg/l), 0.09 + 0.02 mg/l (range 0.07+ - 0.12+ 0.01 mg/l) and 0.19 + 027 mg/l (range 0.04 . + 0.01- 0.66
+ 0.01 mg/l) respectively. Except for lead, mean concentrations varied significantly between stations (P<0.05). The concentrations of heavy metals were below contamination levels and fall within the limits reported for other West African small sahel reservoirs.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Pollutants, Environment, Alau reservoir, Sahel, Enrichment

Animal Research International Vol. 1 (1) 2004: pp. 12-15