Evaluation of Heavy Metals Loading of River Ijana in Ekpan – Warri, Nigeria

The concentration of Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn) which may affect human health and the “health” of the aquatic ecosystem were determine in the River Ijana Ekpan, using a pye unicam Atomic Absorption Spectrometry SP model 2900. The level of heavy metal in the study area varied between Cd (0.010 ± 0.004mgl^-1) and (0.100 ±0.014mg1^-1); Cr (0.037 ± 0.006mg1^-1) and (0.067 ± 0.020mg1^-1), Cu (0.020 ± 0.004mg1^-1) and (0.050 ± 0.029mg1^-1); Fe (0.046 ± 0.007 mg1^- 1) and (0.229 ± 0.008mg1^-1); Ni (0.030 ± 0.004mg1^-1) and (0.080 ± 0.010mg1^-1); Pb (0.025 ± 0.006mg1^-1) and (0.058 ± 0.008mg1^- 1) and Zn (0.088 ± 0.012mg1^-1) and (0.122 ± 0.007mg1^-1). The concentration of these parameters of pollution contained in the study area (SS1 – SS3) indicated that the River is fairly polluted. The possible sources of these parameters of pollution are diverse: originating from anthropogenic / natural and point sources.