Studies on the bioactive elements and nutrients distribution in surface sediments of Cross River Estuary, Calabar River and Great Kwa River, South - South Nigeria
by Mbuotidem Usen Ntinya; Nsidibe Inyang Akata; Vincent Ndem Osabor
International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP), Vol. 73, No. 1/2/3/4, 2023

Abstract: The continuous misconception of the assimilative ability of water bodies has led to severe pollution of the marine ecosystem. This study was conducted to ascertain the pollution index of the rivers using surface sediment. The average concentrations of bioactive elements in Cross River Estuary (CRE), Calabar River (CR) and Great Kwa River (GKR) as determined were Fe:25.25 mg/kg, 30.82 mg/kg, 28.34 mg/kg Zn:5.30 mg/kg, 3.69 mg/kg, 3.22 mg/kg, Mn:1.37 mg/kg, 1.43 mg/kg, 0.77 mg/kg, Mg:14.95 mg/kg, 16.35 mg/kg, 16.42 mg/kg and Ni:8.91 mg/kg, 7.01 mg/kg and 8.46 mg/kg while that of the nutrients were NO₃ ^--N:24.30 μM, 34.0 μM, 28.28 μM, NO₂^--N:0.66 μM, 1.00 μM, 1.53 μM, NH₄⁺-N:5.34 μM, 5.40 μM, 6.82 μM, PO₄^3--P:0.58 μM, 0.53 μM, 0.76 μM, TN:47.567 μM, 49.44 μM, 48.34 μM and TP:2.18 μM, 2.01 μM and 2.52 μM respectively. Generally, the average nutrients index of the rivers and the estuary showed an increasing trend of CRE<CR<GKR. The high nutrients load and bioactive elements concentrations observed in GKR and CR compared to that of CRE, are indicatives of tidal changes in the Estuary.

Online publication date: Mon, 08-Jul-2024

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