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Distribution, Seasonal Variations and Ecotoxicological Significance of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Cross River Estuary Mangrove Swamp

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Abstract

The concentrations and distribution of selected heavy metals in epipelic and benthic sediments of Cross River Estuary mangrove swamp were studied to determine the extent of anthropogenic inputs from industrial activities and to estimate the effects of seasonal variations on geochemical processes in this tropical estuarine ecosystem. The analysis shows that the mean concentrations (mg/kg, dw) of Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn vary from 24.1–32.4, 19.9–27.4, 666.7–943.5, 15.2–30.3, 8.8–24.7, 2.2–6.9 and 140.1–188.9, respectively. An important observation is that, in general, lowest metal concentrations are found during the dry season, compared to wet season. Pollution load index (PLI) and index of geoaccumulation (I geo) revealed overall low values but the enrichment factors (EFs) for Cr, Zn, and V were high, and this reflects the intensity of anthropogenic inputs related to industrial discharge into the estuary. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu and to some extent Ni exceeded the Effects Range—Low (ERL) and Threshold Effect Level (TEL) values in majority of the samples studied, indicating that there may be some ecotoxicological risk to organisms living in these sediments. The inter-element relationship revealed the identical source of elements in the sediments of the studied area. The concentration of heavy metals reported in this work will be useful as baselines for comparison in future sediment quality studies.

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  1. J. P. Essien & A. A. Olajire

    Present address: Health Safety and Environment Department, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria

    J. P. Essien

  2. Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

    S. P. Antai

  3. Industrial and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

    A. A. Olajire

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Essien, J.P., Antai, S.P. & Olajire, A.A. Distribution, Seasonal Variations and Ecotoxicological Significance of Heavy Metals in Sediments of Cross River Estuary Mangrove Swamp. Water Air Soil Pollut 197, 91–105 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-008-9793-x

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