Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the pooled mean levels of heavy metals in ground and surface water samples obtained from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria (NDRN). PUBMED and Google Scholar databases were searched for studies published between 2000 and 2019, which assessed the levels of heavy metals in natural water samples obtained from the NDRN. Thirty one (31) studies which had a total of 951 water samples were identified. The pooled mean estimate (PME) from the meta-analysis indicates that the levels of Ni, Cd, Cr, and Pb in the majority of the natural water bodies from the NDRN are higher than the WHO safe permissible limit for drinking water. The contributions of prevailing anthropogenic activities to the observed heavy metal profiles of natural water sources from the NDRN were discussed. Stricter enforcement of safe environmental practices is necessary to protect the lives of the over 30 million inhabitants of this oil rich region.

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