ABSTRACT

Heavy metal concentration of the soils, dust, water, sediment, plants and fish samples in the terrestrial and aquatic environment of Aba North, I and 2, Aba south 1 and 2 and Asa Nnetu were measured to ascertain their degree of contamination. The samples were collected in the rainy and the dry seasons. The soil samples were taken at various distances viz Im, 2m, 3m and 4rn from the road and at various depths 0-10cm, 10-20cm and 20-30cm, at the various locations. For the aquatic environment, surface water, sediments and plants samples were collected at the various streams, the upstream, the mid stream and the down stream. Various species of fish samples were collected, namely the Channa fish, the Electric fish and the Cat fish. Physico chemical properties as well as the levels of the various heavy metals including Cr, Pb, Cu, Co, V, Ni, Mn, Fe, As, Hg, and Cd were determined in the samples. Heavy metal content were significantly affected by distance from the road, depth, location and season. The highest concentration of heavy metals was seen at a distance very close to the road and the surface depth in the dry season at Asa Nnetu. In the aquatic environment, the highest concentration of heavy metals in the surface water, plant samples and sediment samples were highly significantly affected by the season and location as the highest concentration was at the down stream. Concentration of heavy metals in the fish samples varied with the fish specie as the highest concentration of heavy metals was seen in the cat fish followed by the electric fish and lastly by the channa fish. It was concluded that the high levels of heavy metals in the terrestrial environment could contribute to the high contents of these heavy metals in the aquatic environment. Heavy metal contamination in the soil at a closer distance to the road was attributed to vehicular emissions. It is therefore recommended that some bio —remediation should be used to check and control the accumulation of heavy metals.