Analyses of Heavy Metal Pollution in a Tidal Polluted Creek in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals in water, sediments, as well as littoral plants from two sampling sites A and B of ijora creek of Lagos metropolis were investigated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Water and sediments from site A showed higher concentrations of the investigated metals in them than those in site B. Mean values of the selected heavy metals recorded in sediments generally exceeded those in water samples. Some concentrations of heavy metals in the two littoral plants included: Pb (0.013mg/kg for Paspalum vaginatum); Cu in Philoxerus vermicularis for sites A and B were 0.47 and 0.40 mg/kg respectively while in Paspalum vaginatum, they were 0.59 mg/kg and 0.39 mg/kg respectively. Variations in concentration of Mn in Paspalum and Philoxerus site A ranged between 0.01 mg/kg and 0.08mg/kg. In Paspalum, values ranged between 0.02 and 0.06mg/kg. Nickel was not detected in both plant species from the two sites. The results showed that water and sediments in Ijora creek were contaminated with Pb, Cu, Mn and Ni while the plants were shown to have absorbed Pb, Cu, and Mn. It is assumable that anthropogenic activities around the creek contributed increased levels of heavy metals in the creek.