African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (20), pp. 2358-2362, 18 October 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Hydrobiological constraints of trace metals in surface water, coastal sediment and water lily of Calabar River, Nigeria

Benson, N. U.¹, Essien, J. P.² and Bassey, D. E.³

¹Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, P.M.B.1023, Ota, 112101, Ogun State, Lagos.

²Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria.

³Department of Chemistry, University of Uyo, P.M.B. 1017, Uyo, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: nsikak_benson@yahoo.com.

Accepted 16 February, 2006

Trace metals concentrations in surface water, sediment and water lily (Nymphaea lotus) samples from the banks of Calabar River, a major tributary of Cross River Estuary, Nigeria were determined. The results revealed average concentrations 0.017, 0.010, 37.08 and 0.025 mg/l, respectively, for As, Cd, Fe and Pb in surface water samples, which exceeded Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) maximum guideline values. Elevated levels of heavy metals (As, 1.251 mg/kg; Cd, 0.038 mg/kg; Co, 0.509 mg/kg; Cu, 3.78 mg/kg; Fe, 35.48 mg/kg; Mn, 10.72 mg/kg; Ni, 0.732 mg/kg; Pb, 1.355 mg/kg; V, 0.427 mg/kg; and Zn, 8.665 mg/kg) in sediment samples indicated anthropogenic influences while, measured concentrations in N. lotus were typical of a growing plant.

Key words: Trace metals, coastal sediment, Nymphaea lotus, Calabar River Estuary.