Physicochemical Parameters and Heavy Metals Content of Sediment, Water and Fauna of Printer Waste Toner Burdened Drainage System and its Receiving River around Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective of this paper was to evaluate some physicochemical parameters and heavy metals content of sediment, water and fauna of waste toner burdened drainage and its receiving river around Mile 1 Diobu, Rivers State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Results from the study area found pH levels to be within WHO set limits in both waste water and sediments. Nitrate levels were below WHO set limits. In contrast, Phosphate, EC and TDS were above the WHO permissible limits. Heavy metals content of waste water and sediments found Zn to be below WHO permissible limits. Ni, Mn, Pb, Fe and Cd were all above WHO limits. Zn, Ni, Mn, Pb, Fe and Cd were all above WHO limits in periwinkle (Tympanotonusfucastus), periwinkle shells, fish (Elopssenegalensis), orange crab (Cardisomaarmatum) and black crab (Callinectesamnicola). EDXRF characterization of waste toner shows a concentration of 35.4% of Fe₂O₃; MnO with a concentration of 20.56% and ZnO with a concentration of 15.1% among other toxic metallic oxides observed. The study recommended that further research should be carried out to ascertain the impacts of micro plastics, heavy metals and PAHs in receiving stream where drainage empties into.