Heavy Metals Contamination of Surface Water of Mini WHUO Stream in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The level of heavy metals in the Mini Whuo Stream in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria was assessed. The heavy metals’ analysis was performed after due digestion by the use of a Thermo Atomic Elemental Absorption Spectrophotometer. The average concentrations of the heavy metals studied in the stream were Pb; 2.594±0.76 mg/L, Cu; 1.90±0.60 mg/L, Zn; 2.50±0.74 mg/L, Cd; 0.472±0.17 mg/L, Ni; 2.785±0.87 mg/L, Cr; 4.484±0.76 mg/L, Co; 0.228±0.13 mg/L, Fe; 1.779±0.46 mg/L and As; 0.059±0.02 mg/L.The concentration of the heavy metals in the stream occurred in the order Cr > Ni >Pb> Zn > Cu > Fe > Cd > Co >>As.The pollution assessment indices used in the evaluation of the anthropogenic activities has influenced the concentration of heavy metals in the stream using WHO maximum limit as basis of decision were, contamination factor, pollution load index, contamination degree and modified contamination degree. These four indices indicated that the studied heavy metals have contaminated the stream to a high level that it was no more suitable for domestic use.