Article Information:
Assessment of Metal Contaminants in River Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria
A.W. Butu and E.O. Iguisi
Corresponding Author: A.W. Butu
Submitted: July 21, 2012
Accepted: September 08, 2012
Published: October 20, 2012 |
Abstract:
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This study examines the levels of concentration of metal pollutants in river Kubanni and the health
implications of these metal contaminants. The main sources of data for the study were sediments from long profile
of the river and WHO guidelines for drinking water that were obtained from relevant literatures and internet. The
samples were prepared and Instrumental Nitrogen Activation Analysis (INAA) was adopted in the analysis of the
data using Nigerian Research Reactor - 1 (NIRR-1). Twenty nine metal contaminants (Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Dy,
Na, K, As, Br, La, Sm, Yb, U, Sc, Cr, Zn, Fe, Co, Rb, Cs, Ba, Eu, Lu, Hg, Ta, Sb and Th) were identified in the
river. The safety levels of the metal contaminants were examined by comparing the obtained values with WHO
guidelines for domestic water and it was observed that the river is getting polluted by Al, Mn, As, U, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn,
Ba, Na and Sb with severe health implications on the consumers of the river Kubanni water. The levels of
concentration of Mg, Ca, Ti, V, Dy, K, Br, La, Sm, Yb, Sc, Hg, Ta, Rb, Cs, Eu, Lu and Th are also high, although
there is no WHO standard for comparison, some of these metals are suspected to be harmful to humans when
consumed in excess quantity.
Key words: Carcinogenic, earth elements, human, metal contaminants, pollution, river Kubanni,
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Abstract
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Cite this Reference:
A.W. Butu and E.O. Iguisi, . Assessment of Metal Contaminants in River Kubanni Zaria, Nigeria. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, (10): 884-889.
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