Determination of the level of some heavy metals in water collected from two pollution - prone irrigation areas around Kano Metropolis

Abstract

Industrial effluents discharged into the environment pose a serious threat to our agricultural products and health. In view of this, levels of some heavy metals, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Ag, Fe and Mn were determined in water samples collected from two pollution prone areas around Kano (Sharada and Bompai industrial estates) and control site (Thomas Dam, Dambatta). The levels of the heavy metals were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The results obtained show that the mean values of all heavy metals (with the exception of Zn) in water samples from the polluted areas studied were significantly higher than in the control site (P < 0.05). These mean values have also exceeded the acceptable limits.

Key words: Heavy metals, Pollution, Kano, Environment