Quality Assessment of Akinbo River Sediment around Lafarge Cement Wapco, Ewekoro, Nigeria

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the impact of industrial discharge on the quality of sediment obtained from River Akinbo around Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Ewekoro. Four locations were chosen along the water course (River Akinbo) to reflect a consideration of all industrial activities that are capable of changing the quality of sediments. Sediment samples were collected in three monthsbetween (October 2015 - June 2016) at the four sampling points. The physicochemical parameters determined were sediment pH, moisture content, sulphate (mg/l), nitrate (mg/l), phosphate (mg/l) and chloride (mg/L) using standard methods. Sequential Extraction Procedure (SEP) was used to determine the concentration of heavy metals to include (Pb, Cr, Cd, Mn, Ni, Fe) while XRF was used to determine the geo-chemical index of the sediment. Sediment pH is between slightly alkaline, the bioavailability of the metal followed a trend Ni > Cr >Mn> Cd>Pb> Fe with a little interchange at some sampling point. Percentage by weight trend for the XRF were in the order of major metals Al > Fe >Ca> K > Na and in the order of minor metals Mn> Cr > Zn. The concentration of cadmium, chromium and iron were above the permissible limit WHO and FEPA. The high concentration of heavy metals in sediment is most likely as a result of the amount of effluents (dust and waste water) discharged into the river from the factory. To prevent mass extinction of aquatic organisms due to anoxic conditions, proper regulations should be implemented to reduce the organic load the river receives.