Concentration of Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn and Pb in Makera – Drain, Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

 The concentration of Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Cd and Pb in effluent from Makera drain in Kaduna was determined
 seasonally by the use of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).  The monthly levels of the metal
 concentrations and the mean metal concentration of the four sampled stations showed that
 Fe>C>Cu>P>Zn>Cd in decreasing order of magnitude.  The concentration of some of these metals
 determined were higher than the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) levels of 0.1mg/l,
 0.05 mg/l , 0.01 and 0.1mg/1 for Fe, Cu, Cd and Pb respectively, for drinking water. There were high
 significant variation (P<0.01) between stations, months and seasons, except for Zn, which had significant
 variation (P<0.05) between months and insignificant variation (p>0.05) between seasons.  This study
 highlights the implication of the high concentration of these metals on the biota and consequently man
 who is at the end of the food chain.