Ecotoxicity of trace metal enrichment and the degrees of contaminated sediment and water from Riparian communities in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed trace metal enrichment and contamination levels in Tema, Sangama, and Degema communities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Samples were collected monthly from October 2021 to April 2022. Trace metals such as Pb, Cu, Fe, Cd, Zn, and As were analysed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The contamination factor, degree of contamination and enrichment factor for trace metals were used to evaluate the impact of pollution levels. There was a descending order of heavy metal concentrations in water at the three stations: Fe > Cu > Zn > Cd > Pb. Sediment heavy metal concentrations were descending from Fe > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd at the same stations. Heavy metal levels were consistently higher at Sangama. The result revealed that compared to Pb and Zn, Cd contamination was moderate to considerable. Fe contamination was relatively low, but Cu contamination was moderate to high. Water and sediment were contaminated to varying degrees. The contamination levels of Pb, Zn, and Cu were low to moderate. Sangama, Tema, and Degema all had varying degrees of contamination, with some areas having higher contamination levels. This study recommends the need for effective environmental management practices in these coastal marine wetlands.