Concentrations of trace metals in water collected from Amicol Lake, Ebonyi state, Nigeria

Abstract

The concentrations of iron (Fe), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in water collected from Amicol Lake, which receives run offs from adjoining Pb- Zn mining sites and other tributaries were determined during wet and dry season periods using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Concentrations of trace metals during the rainy season were generally higher than those of the dry season except for Pb and Zn. The rainy and dry season values stood at 0.37± 0.41 and 0.008±0.019 ppm for Fe, 0.006±0.008 and 0.051±0.068 ppm for Pb, 0.01±0.008 and 0.005±0.003 ppm for Cd, 0.003±0.003 and 0.003±0.003 ppm for Zn, and 0.007±0.001 and 0.004±0.003 ppm for Cu respectively. The value for Pb was found to be significantly higher during the dry season period (P <0.05). The health implications on man of the presence and accumulation of these metals in the lake and its tributaries are discussed based on national and international standards.

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences Vol. 1(2) 2005: 129-132