Heavy Metals Level and Physicochemical Properties of Surface Water from Mbaa River in Inyishi Town, Ikeduru Local Government Area, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate the levels of heavy metals and physicochemical properties of surface water from the Mbaa River in Inyishi Town, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard methods. Data obtained show that concentrations of most of these heavy metals were much higher than the maximum permissible limits. Pb and Al were found to be at highly elevated levels as they ranged from 0.37 mg/l to 0.69 mg/l and 3.86 mg/l to 10.36 mg/l respectively. Cr and zinc were below their respective WHO and SON standard guidelines. Probable sources of these metals could be the aluminium processing industry domiciled within the vicinity of the study area. It could be recommended that appropriate water treatment facility be provided in the study for sustainable agricultural and environmental practices.