LEVELS OF ZINC IN WATER AND SEDIMENTS FROM OGBA AND IKPOBA RIVER.

ABSTRACT

Environmental contamination has become a constant theme in our society today. The activities of man have increased the rate at which environmental media including water bodies become contaminated. This study was conducted to determine the physicochemical qualities and concentration of zinc in water and sediment of Ogba and Ikpoba rivers, which are located in Benin City, Edo State. Samples of water and sediments were collected monthly from November 2021 to January 2022. All physicochemical parameters were assessed using standard analytic methods and the determination of zinc concentrations was done using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The results of the physicochemical analysis of water samples for Ogba and Ikpoba rivers were within permissible limits. Physicochemical analysis of sediment samples from both rivers were also within permissible limits. The concentration of zinc in water and sediment samples in both rivers ranged from 0.0795 - 0.195 mg/L and from 62.08 - 89.23 mg/kg respectively. A majority of the values were within safe limits set by the World Health Organization. There were, however, no significant differences between the physicochemical parameters and concentrations of zinc for both rivers. Continuous monitoring and assessment of water and sediment quality for both rivers is recommended.