IngentaConnect Temporal variation and distribution of trace metals in freshwater...

Authors: Ekpo B.O.¹; Ibok U.J.¹

Source: Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Volume 21, Number 1, March 1999 , pp. 51-66(16)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

An investigation on the abundance and distribution of trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd and Pb) in water, and nine species of fish samples from Calabar river was carried out in 1992. The concentrations of iron (6000–7240 g l^−1), zinc (4910–7230 g l^−1), and cadmium (3–7 g l^−1) showed moderate pollution while those of copper (420–630 g l^−1), manganese (23–48 g l^−1), chromium (< 10–20 g l^−1) and lead (< 1–10 g l^−1) in water were well below WHO permissible levels. Significant seasonal changes (0.001 p 0.25) were obtained for iron, copper, zinc, manganese and cadmium in water. Furthermore, iron, zinc and cadmium showed statistically significant spatial changes (0.005 p 0.10). Of the nine fish species studied, no statistically significant relationship between body weight and the concentrations of the metals was observed. The concentrations of the metals per mean total body weight apparently decreases in the order Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn > Pb > Cd = Cr and were within the limits that were safe for consumption.

Keywords: Calabar river; freshwater fish; Nigeria; trace metals; water

Language: English

Document Type: Regular paper

Affiliations: 1: Chemistry Department, University of Calabar, P.O. Box 3766, Calabar, C.R. State, Nigeria

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Temporal variation and distribution of trace metals in freshwater and fish from Calabar River, S.E. Nigeria