Source Apportionment and Concentration of Potentially Toxic Element in Surface Water and Sediments of Okulu-Aleto River, Rivers State Nigeria
By Afolabi Omobolaji O., Hart, A.I., Nwankwoala, H. O.
The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the aquatic environment can be influenced by naturally occurring activities, anthropogenic and atmospheric deposition. With various multivariate statistical tools, the apportionment of the PTEs in the environment can be established. The source apportionment and concentration of PTEs in surface water and sediments of Okulu-Aleto river, Rivers state Nigeria was determined. Based on laboratory analysis standard (American Public Health Association), PTEs such as Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb) and Iron (Fe) were considered. The pH of the surface water (6.27 – 6.65) and sediment (6.54-6.85) tends towards neutral while the mean concentration of electrical conductivity (EC) at 13740 µs/cm for surface water and 1376.75µs/cm for sediment. The mean concentration showed that the PTEs descended as Pb > Cr > Ni > Cu > Zn > Cd for surface water and Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Ni ≥ Cd for sediment while all concentrations are with WHO limit except Cr across the sampling points. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed difference correlation level suggesting PTEs of lithogenic and anthropogenic sources. Continuous environmental monitoring is required to ensure environmental sustainability.