ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVELS OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN RIVER KAFIN HAUSA, JIGAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The levels of some heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb and Cr) in water samples from 36 sites on river Kafin Hausa were determined. The water samples were digested with 5 cm3 of concentrated trioxonitrate (V) acid at 85 0C for 2 hours on a hot plate and the metal levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The following values were obtained for the metals, Cu (0.182±0.001 to 1.45± 0.0 mg/L), Pb (0.0909±0.001 to 2.73 ±0.002 mg/L), Cd (0.10±0.0033 to 2.40±0.0001) mg/L), Cr (0.0714 to 1.14 mg/L). The levels of Pb, Cd and Cr exceeded the recommended limit set by WHO. The water is therefore not suitable for drinking and cooking of food.