oladapo.akinfolarin
Department of Chemistry, Rivers State University,Nigeria
Title: Chemometric Evaluation of Heavy Metal Levels in Surface Water and Sediment of Some Streams in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: oladapo.akinfolarin
Abstract
This study was designed to apply chemometrics in evaluating heavy metal levels in sediment and surface water of some streams in Port Harcourt and environs and to develop models that could predict future environmental patterns. Three industrial areas (Eleme, (EL), Oginigba (OG) and Rumuolumeni (RM)) and a control site Omuanwa (OM)) were selected. Sample collection, preservation and determination of heavy metal levels (Fe, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Mn) were done for sixteen months using standard methods. The results showed that the levels of Fe in surface water at OG (0.94 ± 0.41 mg/l) and RM (1.08 ± 0.75 mg/l) exceeded the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) permissible limit of 0.05 mg/l, while Cd exceeded 0.01 mg/l national standard at all sites.. Pollution load index (PLI) > 1 indicated pollution with heavy metals in the order RM > OG > EL in surface water, PLI > 1.0 in sediment was in the order EL = OG > RM, while PLI < 1.0 at Omuanwa, the control site. Development of models showed that concentration variations for surface water quality parameters were due to time and distance. Government should implement policies to control, regulate and manage discharge of wastes into the environment.