Comparative Assessment of Lead and Zinc in the Coastal Areas of Niger Delta
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Journal of Research in Environmental Science and Toxicology (ISSN: 2315-5698) Vol. 3(3) pp. 39-45, July, 2014 DOI: http:/dx.doi.org/10.14303/jrest.2014.009 Available online http://www.interesjournals.org/JREST Copyright ©2014 International Research Journals Full Length Research Paper Comparative assessment of lead and zinc in the Coastal Areas of Niger Delta *1Oladoye, Peter O. and 2Adewuyi, Olushola Olalekan *1,2 Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author’s email: [email protected], Tel: +2347038308138; +2348136609534 ABSTRACT This study was conducted to determine and compare the concentration of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in sediment in two different places. Ten sediment samples each from Ilaje area of Ondo State and Qua Iboe river of Akwa Ibom State were analyzed quantitatively for lead and zinc content using aqua- : regia (HNO 3 HCl in the ratio of 1:3) for digestion and Buck Scientific Model 210VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for analysis of the metal content. The results from this study shows that the maximum value of lead in Ondo state was recorded in Obenla with a value of 43.05µg/g while the minimum value was recorded in Ikorigo with a value of 4.65µg/g. Value of zinc for this area ranged from 39.38µg/g to 138.72µg/g. The value of zinc in the sediment samples of Qua Iboe river in Akwa Ibom State ranged from 24.26µg/g to 131.52µg/g while the maximum value of lead obtained in sediment of this area was recorded in Okorutip with a value of 232.95µg/g and the minimum value recorded in Esuk with a value of 2.40µg/g. Keywords: Pollution, assessment, sediment, heavy metals and remediation. INTRODUCTION Chronic pollution and/or contamination of the marine 2005). The presence of heavy metals in aquatic environment by heavy metals have become a severe systems originates from the natural interactions problem especially in estuaries. In recent years, there between the water sediments and atmosphere with has been an increasing concern about the growing which water is in contact. Man, through exposure of humans to potential toxic chemicals. This industrialization and technology, have developed the potential exposure in many instances is due to initial capacity to alter these natural interactions to the extent contamination of water, air and soil, followed by that the very water and aquatic life there in have been various transport routes to man. As such, demands threatened to a devastating point (Karen, 2005). have increased for the design of monitoring systems Estuaries and coastal areas are complex and dynamic that will identify and define the concentration, the aquatic environment (Moris et al., 1995), which are the chemical and physical behaviour of pollutants in soil main study areas: physical, chemical and biological (Brown, 1980). Pollution occurs when air, water or interactions between fresh water and salt water anywhere on earth gets contaminated. Contamination systems can have profound influence on the transport means that something is dirty, grimy and impure. All and fate of the heavy metals. the different types of pollution on our earth that are The distribution of heavy metals through complex caused by humans are contaminating the environment process of material exchange within this aquatic and making it not fit for use or at least they are environment can also be affected by anthropogenic decreasing the efficiency of it (Yagdi, 2000). Exposure inputs. Often, such influence is more apparent in to chemicals in the environment is an inescapable part estuaries and surrounding coastal areas than in an of life as a result of industrialization which contributes open ocean due to the intense human activities (Moris to the development of the country. The introduction of et at., 1995). The transport of heavy metals from harmful substances into the environment has been estuaries and then to the open ocean is dependent on shown to have many adverse effects on human health, the partitioning pattern of heavy metals between agricultural productivity and natural ecosystem. Many dissolved and particulate phases and other of the chemical substances have been held environment conditions(Carman et al., 2006). responsible for the major or minor sickness to which Nevertheless, physical, chemical transport and we are prone; they are pesticides and herbicides, geochemical interactions within these areas may be preservatives, food additives, fertilizers, and several the key factors controlling land-derived natural and metals including Hg, Cd, Pb and other metals (Karen, pollutant chemicals into the coastal areas (Carman et 40 J. Res. Environ. Sci. Toxicol. al., 2006). products and traffics (UNEP/GPA, 2004). Cadmium is released as by-product of Zinc (and occasionally Pb) Sediment refining; lead is emitted during its mining and smelting activities from automobile exhausts by combustion of Sediment is the loose sand, clay silt and other soil petroleum fuels treated with tetra-ethyl (lead anti-knock particles that settle at the bottom of water body (Davies agent) and from old lead paints, mercury is emitted by and Abowei, 2009). The erosion of bedrock and soil the degassing of the earth’s crust (Lenntech, 2004). lead to accumulation of sediment of past or on-going Generally, metals are emitted during their mining and natural and anthropogenic processes and components. processing activities (Lenntech, 2004). Environmental Sediment is a habitat and major nutrient source for population by heavy metals is very prominent in areas aquatic organisms. Sediment analysis is important in of mining and old mine sites (Peplow, 1999). These evaluating the long term quality situation independent metals are leached out and sloppy areas are carried by of the current inputs (Adeyemo et al., 2008) and it is acid water downstream of run-off to the sea. Through the ultimate sink of contaminants in the aquatic mining activities, water bodies are most empirically systems (Davies and Abowei, 2009). The traces of the polluted (Garbarino et al., 1995; INECAR, 2000). The heavy metals in plants and animals are not toxic (De potential for contamination is increased when mining Vries et al., 2007). Pb, Cd, and Hg are exceptions; exposes metal-bearing ores rather than natural they are toxic even in low concentrations (Galas – exposures of ore bodies through erosion (Garbarino et Gorcher, 1991). al., 1995) and when mined ones are dumped on earth surface in manual dressing processes. Through rivers Heavy metals and streams, the metals are transported as either dissolved species in water or as in transported as The term “heavy metals” refers to any metallic either dissolved species in water as in integral part as elements that has a relatively high density and is toxic suspended sediments (dissolved species in water or poisonous even at low concentration (Lenntech, have the greatest potential of causing the most 2004). “Heavy metals” is a general collective term, deleterious effects). They may then be stored in river which applies to a group of metals and metalloids with bed sediments or seep into underground water, atomic density greater than 4g/cm 3, or 5 times or more, thereby contaminating water from underground greater than water (Huton and Symon, 1986; Battarbee sources, particularly wells; and the extent of et al., 1988; Nriugu and Pacyna, 1900; Nriagu, 1989; contamination will depend on the nearness of the well Garbarino et al., 1995, Hawks, 1997). However, the to the mining site. Wells located near mining sites have metals include Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Mercury (Hg), been reported to contain heavy at levels that exceed Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Silver (Ag), Chromium drinking water criteria (Garbarino et al., 1995; Peplow, (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and the platinum-group 1999). elements. Heavy metal poisoning and bio-toxicity Heavy metal emission The bio-toxic effects of heavy metals refer to the Geological and anthropogenic activities are sources of harmful effect of heavy metals to the body when heavy metal contamination (Dembitsky, 2003). consumed above the bio-recommended limits. Sources of anthropogenic metal contamination include Although individual metals exhibits specific signs of industrial effluents, fuel production, mining, smelting their toxicity, the following have been reported as processes, metal operations, utilization of agricultural general signs associated with Cadmium, Lead, chemicals, small-scale industries (including battery Arsenic, Mercury, Zinc, Copper and Aluminium production, metal products, metal smelting and cable poisoning; gastro intestinal (GI) disorders, diarrhoea, coating industries) brick kilns and coal combustion stomatitis, tremor, haemoglobin causing a rust red (Zhen-Guo et al., 2002). One of the prominent sources colour to stool, a taxia paralysis, vomiting and contributing to increased lead soil contamination is convulsion, depression and pneumonia when volatile disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW). These vapours and fumes are inhaled (McCluggage, 1991). wastes are either dumped on road-sides or used as The nature of the effects could be toxic (acute, chronic land-fills while sewage is used for irrigation. Although or sub-chronic), neurotoxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic or useful as a source of nutrient, they are also sources of tetratogenic. carcinogens and toxic metals. Apart from mining operations, mercury is introduced into the environment Cadmium through cosmetic products as well as manufacturing processes like making sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Cadmium is toxic at extremely