An Evaluation of Ag, Fe, Co and Mn Concentrations in Water, Sediment, and Fish from the Onitsha Segment of the River Niger

Abstract

This research work determined the concentration of silver (Ag), iron (Fe), colbalt (Co) and manganese (Mn) in fish, sediment and water collected from three sites of River Niger. In the experimental design, the fish samples were collected using cast nets which were thrown by the fisher men and withdrawn by the means of line attached to its opening. The sediment and water samples were collected with bowl and kept inside a metal free stopper bottle. The heavy metal concentrations were then determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS 240 FS). Manganese was not detectable in sediments, water and fish from the Bridgehead site. Iron, Manganese in sediments and water collected from Otuocha were higher when compared to other sites. Silver concentrations were the highest in sediment, water and fish from Bridgehead. Heavy metals studied were detectable in fish, water and sediments samples indicating the river is polluted by these metals.