Levels of some heavy metals in Sokoto-Rima river system in North-Western Nigeria

Abstract

Levels of some heavy metals in Sokoto- Rima River system at the fishing site of Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival were analyzed. Water samples were collected monthly for 12 months and analyzed for the heavy metals. Statistical analyses of the data were based on months, wet and dry seasons and five sub-seasons (early rainy, flood, early dry, mid dry and late dry sub-seasons). Pb (2.50 ±0.78 Mg/L), Cr (0.22 ± 0.03 Mg/L), Cd (0.41 ±0.21Mg/L) and Mn (1.48 ± 0.27 Mg/L) ions were higher than the recommended water quality standards while Zn ion was within recommended standard for aquatic life. There was no seasonal influence on the concentrations of Cr, Zn and Mn ions. The level of Fe, Pb, Cr, Cd and Mn ions should therefore be corrected to recommended standards for aquatic life.